Media Releases September 2017

Today, Mr Harry Dixon SC and Mr Andrew Gotting of Counsel presented arguments on behalf of the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) in the Federal Court's Penalty Rates Case. In the case, Ai Group is strongly opposing union arguments that the Fair Work Commission's 2017 Penalty Rates Decisions should be set aside.

"Eastern Australian energy users will welcome the gas industry's commitment to do what it takes to avoid a gas shortfall over the next two years – and will watch closely to see that it is met," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said today.

Australia has again ranked outside the world’s 20 most competitive countries according to the 2017-18 World Economic Forum (WEF) Global competitiveness report released today.

Acting Ai Group Queensland Head, Mark Goodsell, appeared before a Queensland Parliamentary Committee today to oppose many provisions of the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017.

"New projections of serious gas supply inadequacy from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and an ACCC report showing gas users face unfair contractual terms, poor availability and sky-high prices are deeply concerning. They add to the pile of evidence supporting the need to declare 2018 a gas shortfall year to create the option for a diversion of Eastern Australian gas from export to domestic use," Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said today.

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has provided conditional support for Treasurer Ben Wyatt's intention to stop the potential abuse of payroll tax training exemptions.

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has called on the Victorian Government to remove 'Footy Friday' as a public holiday in Victoria.

"Industry remains deeply worried about the state of the gas market. We have today released a submission which calls on the Federal Government to maintain pressure on gas exporters by proceeding towards invoking the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM) export controls," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

"The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) expresses its appreciation for the very important role that Mr Nigel Hadgkiss has played in restoring the rule of law in the building and construction industry. Mr Hadgkiss has worked tirelessly, fearlessly and effectively over a long time to stamp out unlawful conduct in the construction industry," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today. 

"There is a lot of misinformation circulating about enterprise agreements in the fast food and retail industries. Sensationalism is rife in media articles about this topic and the facts are being widely overlooked," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.