Media Releases June 2016

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI^®) edged up a further 0.8 points to 51.8 in June to remain above the 50-point level separating expansion from contraction. The result completes a full year of continuous expansion - the equal longest unbroken period of growth for the Australian PMI^® in a decade.

"This Saturday's election provides the opportunity for Australians to shape the policy direction of the country over the next three years," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox said today.

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has partnered with the La Trobe University Law School to help give soon-to-be lawyers a taste of a workplace law environment.

"Ai Group welcomes the release of Building Queensland's (QLD) first Infrastructure Pipeline Report for the State," Ai Group's Queensland Director Jemina Dunn said today.

"In this budget the government has maintained its commitment to the development of an essential transport system in metropolitan as well as regional areas with $41.5b being earmarked for expenditure over the next four years", Mr Le Compte said.

"With the NSW economy continuing to gather momentum, the Government should now use tomorrow's budget to lift the State to a new level. While business conditions remain mixed and margins are generally tight amid strong competitive pressures, the Government can pave the way for further advances in the opportunities faced by the workforce, by households and by the State's businesses," Ai Group NSW Branch Head, Mark Goodsell, said today.

"Victoria's goal to achieve 40% renewable energy by 2025 could underpin substantial investment at manageable cost but only if concerns around trade competitiveness, energy security and the wider market are met," Australian Industry Group Victorian Head Tim Piper said today.

"The Queensland Government's 2016/17 Budget is a sound Budget for business and one that will deliver a modest short to medium term stimulus to the economy," Australian Industry Group Queensland Director Jemina Dunn said today.

The latest Australian Industry Group/Australian Constructors Association Construction Outlook survey released today suggests that very strong growth from transport-related infrastructure projects will help drive gradual improvement in the sector into 2017.

Business groups whose members employ millions of Australians in small, medium and large enterprises are urging politicians to back businesses - small, medium and large - so Australians can get ahead.