Media Releases August 2017

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) jumped by 3.8 points to 59.8 in August – an eleventh consecutive month of expansion for the manufacturing sector and the highest monthly result for the Australian PMI® since 2002 (readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the increase).

Ahead of the 0930 release tomorrow (1 Sept) of the latest Australian Industry Group Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) Ai Group has released a research note which examines the statistical relationship between the Index and various ABS data series that are relevant to manufacturing activity.

"With many businesses in Western Australia facing tough and testing conditions, industry is looking for the coming State Budget to stimulate much needed confidence and growth through measures that improve the capabilities and capacity of the economy," Ai Group WA State Manager, Kristian Stratton, said today.

The Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council is pleased to announce that Mark Goodsell, current Head of Manufacturing at the Australian Industry Group, will take on the role of Executive Director for the AAMC.

"The ACTU's claim to take away employers' rights to reasonably refuse employee requests for part-time work and other flexible working hours arrangements is a ridiculous proposition," Innes Willox, Chief Executive Australian Industry Group said today.

Victorian businesses which are struggling with sky-high energy prices have welcomed today's announcement by the State Government that electricity prices are likely to reduce as a result of its renewable energy targets.

The Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council (AAMC) has noted press reports, parliamentary debate and considerable industry concern about the Request for Tender (RFT) relating to the Future Frigates Program.

"The Australian Industry Group welcomes the passage through Parliament last night of the Fair Work Amendment (Corrupting Benefits) Bill 2017. The Bill will deliver important changes to Australia's enterprise bargaining system," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group said today.

"The Australian Industry Group welcomes Parliament's rejection of Labor's disallowance motion for the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016 (Building Code 2016). The Code is playing a vital role in ensuring that work practices on building sites are productive and safe," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group said today.

After a long and successful career in the Department of Defence, Kate Louis has been appointed as Ai Group's new Head of Defence & Industry Policy with responsibility for Ai Group's Defence Council.