Media Releases February 2020

The national employer association, Ai Group, has urged the Victorian Parliament's Upper House to this week reject legislation which has the potential to turn the State into a 'honeypot' for class actions and lawyers into 'bounty hunters'.

"While industry supports the goals of reducing waste and developing the capacity to recycle much more than we do presently, the additional levy costs being imposed on consumers and industry are significant," Ai Group's Victorian Head, Tim Piper, said today.

National employer association, Ai Group, has today released a report outlining the organisation's views on changes to the Australian Qualifications framework for vocational education and training.

Funding to support the development of recycling and reuse of waste products announced by the State Government today is a positive step, according to the Australian Industry Group Victorian Head, Tim Piper.

Imminent decisions on Victoria's energy future should be bipartisan and meet the needs of industry and the community, Australian Industry Group Victorian Head Tim Piper said today.

The Australian Industry Group in Victoria has welcomed the State Government's decision to designate the waste industry an essential service.

"Ai Group supports NSW Government's initiative to help apprentices who have lost their jobs due to drought and fires to stay in their trade. The Government proposes to relax apprenticeship rules and allow them to continue the institutional training component of their apprenticeships for up to 12 months where their employer has had to put them off due to the impact of drought or bushfire on their business," Ai Group NSW Head, Mark Goodsell said today.

"The goal of net zero emissions by 2050 is increasingly widely supported by Australian businesses, industry advocates such as Ai Group, the wider community and governments of all complexions. That growing consensus is important to guide and discipline the development of efficient, trade neutral and fair policies to get there," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

"Today's announcement by the Attorney General that the Government intends to shortly introduce legislation into Parliament providing for 'significant jail terms and fines' for employers who engage in serious underpayments, is concerning. While the legislation will reportedly be targeted at serious and deliberate conduct, it will undoubtedly act as yet another major barrier to employment. Small business people in particular will be much less likely to take on their first employee, or additional employees, when they will worry that underpayments could lead to lengthy jail terms," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.

"The confirmation today that GM is to retire the Holden brand is an almost inevitable yet sad day for the industry," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said today.