Media Releases July 2016

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) has gained further momentum in July, increasing by 4.6 points to 56.4 to extend the manufacturing sector's period of unbroken growth to 13 months. This represents the longest phase of expansion for the Australian PMI® since August 2004 (readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity and the distance from 50 indicates the strength of the increase).

"The announcement by Defence of short-listed contenders for provision of Phase 2 of Land 400 is a welcome development," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

"The further discoveries of asbestos-containing material on Australian building sites confirms the need for decisive action from Government and industry in addressing the proliferation of non-conforming product. Ai Group would contribute positively to a reconvened Senate inquiry into the issue as called for today by Senator Nick Xenophon," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

"While the Productivity Commission's (PC) latest comments on defence procurement contain important insights, interpretations that suggest that it has found the Future Submarine Program amounts to rampant protectionism are way off the mark," the Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, Innes Willox, said today.

"In a submission to the NSW Government’s review ofpublic holiday legislation, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has urged the Government to take the lead in achieving more national consistency on public holidays. Surely it is time for the State and Territory Governments to work together to achieve a more rational public holiday system in Australia,” Mr Willox said.

"The exposure of the use of imported building materials containing asbestos in a range of buildings including the Perth Children's Hospital highlights the inadequacy of Australia's approach to ensuring the safety and quality of goods sold in Australia.  These inadequacies are particularly pronounced for building products and corrective action is clearly required," Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said today.

"Today, a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) will hear an important appeal pursued by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) on behalf of Uniline Australia Limited. The appeal will be very important in determining whether Australia's enterprise agreement making system has now been reduced to a minefield of technicalities which employers and employees will find extremely difficult to navigate," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said today.

"The recent surge in South Australian electricity prices has disrupted industry and shown that our energy markets are a shambles," Innes Willox, Australian Industry Group Chief Executive said.

"Ai Group welcomes the appointment of the new Federal ministry announced by the Prime Minister today," said Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox.

"The TAFE reform announcement today by NSW Skills Minister, John Barilaro, is a significant marker in the continuing focus on outcomes, innovation and customer focus for vocational education in the State," Australian Industry Group NSW Branch Head, Mark Goodsell, said today.