Media Releases June 2020

The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) moved into positive territory in June, increasing by 9.9 points to 51.5 (readings above 50 points indicate expansion in activity, with higher results indicating a faster rate of expansion).

"The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) welcomes today's decision of a Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission to extend the operation of core elements of the COVID-19 schedule in the Clerks Award until the end of September, despite strong opposition from the unions. Trying to reintroduce unnecessary rigidities into the workplace makes no economic or employment sense at this time," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group said today.

"The national Skills Commission data released today shows an encouraging lift in employers expecting to hire," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.

"Industry hopes that today's olive branch from the Federal Opposition after more than a decade of political squabbling can be the start of serious policy discussions towards longer-term certainty on energy and emissions policy," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.

"The reimposition of tighter restrictions due to a rising number of Covid-19 cases in Victoria will batter already fragile business and consumer confidence," Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.

“The Victorian Government’s legislation to allow contingency fees to be charged by lawyers in class action proceedings in Victoria, is yet another barrier to investment and jobs in Victoria. It follows the passage a few days ago of a Wage Theft Act that will expose Victorian employers to criminal penalties for certain underpayments,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.

“The cyber-attacks revealed by the Prime Minister today is chilling news that reinforces the message that businesses need to be vigilant at this time of increased geopolitical tensions and with the changed work practices due to COVID-19. It is becoming increasingly obvious over time that as these tensions increase in the new operating environment Australian policy makers are going to have to make hard choices and choose sides - decisions that for decades we have sought to avoid at a national level. This obviously increases the risks for Australian industry,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.

"Today’s announcement of the expansion of university places with a focus on the needs of employers is welcome and will assist in meeting the higher skill level jobs needed to contribute to our transforming industry,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.

“The Majority’s decision in this year’s Annual Wage Review is risky given that the economy is in recession, many businesses are struggling to survive, and unemployment and underemployment have increased sharply. The official unemployment rate is at its highest level in almost two decades and the underemployment rates recorded in the past two months are well above any levels previously recorded,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group, said today.

"Today's labour force data should put to rest any complacency about the severity of the current downturn," Mr Willox, Chief Executive of Ai Group said today.