Media Releases May 2017

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) stayed in expansionary territory for an eighth consecutive month in May, although the pace of expansion eased by 4.4 points to 54.8, indicating a slower rate of growth (readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the increase).

"The relatively minor penalty in the Infinity Cable case, which was reported for the first time today, should prompt stronger action from Federal and State governments to stop the proliferation of dodgy and dangerous building products," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

"Ai Group commends the Queensland Government for taking leadership to address the scourge of non-conforming building products in Queensland," Ai Group Queensland Head, Jemina Dunn, said today.

"A new Ai Group report released today finds that while Australian businesses are investing in new technologies to enhance profit and performance, industry as a whole is lagging in adoption of key innovations," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said today.

"The Federal Government's release of its Naval Shipbuilding Plan reaffirms its commitment to an $89 billion continuous program of building naval surface platforms and submarines over the coming decades," Innes Willox, Ai Group Chief Executive, said today.

"The big price rises in the skilled visa charges paid by employers will have largely negative impacts on businesses," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

"The 2017 Federal Budget represents a fresh start to fuel future growth. While there is unfinished business, there is a welcome and more inclusive approach that invests more directly in the community as well as indirectly by promoting growth," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

"The Australian Industry Group welcomes the Order issued today by Senior Deputy President Clancy of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to terminate the industrial action of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU), and the industrial action taken in response by AGL," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

The national construction industry continued to expand in April, with the Australian Industry Group/Housing Industry Association Australian Performance of Construction Index (Australian PCI®) increasing by 0.7 points to 51.9 (readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the increase). This signalled industry-wide growth for a third consecutive month.

"A new Ai Group survey of Australian business has put tax relief, infrastructure, budget balance and training at the top of the priorities corporate leaders regard as the most important areas of focus in the upcoming Federal Budget," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.