Media Releases October 2018

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) fell slightly by 0.7 points to 58.3 in October, indicating further expansion but at a marginally slower pace than the previous month. This result extended the index's period of uninterrupted growth to 25 months (readings above 50 indicate expansion in activity, with the distance from 50 indicating the strength of the increase).

Ai Group welcomes the announcement today by Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash that wage subsidies will be introduced for employers who engage apprentices in regional and rural communities. The trial will invest $60 million through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program to support apprentices across a number of trades.

The Ai Group Defence Council National Executive has named its new Chair as Mr Andy Keough, Managing Director of Saab Australia.

"Halloween in Australia has evolved into a popular community activity that engages whole families and can be fun for all. But it's also important to keep safe, have some rules and ensure the kids know how to celebrate this event," Tim Piper, Head of the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) in Victoria and its Confectionery Sector said today.

"Ai Group welcomes the further development of the Federal Opposition's FutureAsia initiative including the new proposals to substantially boost the development of Asian language teaching and learning in Australia," Innes Willox, Chief Executive, Australian Industry Group, said today.

New research released today by the Alliance for a Safe and Secure Internet shows a majority of Australians are deeply concerned by the Government’s proposed Assistance and Access Bill 2018 – known as the Encryption Bill.

Ahead of the Council of Australian Governments Energy Council meeting this week, representatives of Australia's small and large businesses; conservation groups; energy network, supply and services sectors; investors; property sector; and social services sector have together agreed that driving down electricity costs is urgent, and that addressing emissions and reliability are not only critical in their own right but are essential parts of achieving cost reduction.

"The latest energy policy statement from the Commonwealth includes some sensible ideas that should attract broad support, as well as some serious gaps, and two elements that need great caution," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said today.

"Today's ACTU rallies are bad news for jobs, investment and productivity," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, said today.

"The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) welcomes the Australian Government's decision to intervene in an important Federal Court test case about casual employment, which is listed for an initial case management hearing before the Federal Court today. The WorkPac v Rossato case is separate to the Federal Court's highly problematic WorkPac v Skene decision that has caused widespread concern across Australia," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox said today.