ALP Workplace Relations Policy

Coverage of comments made by the BCA in response to the launch of the ALP workplace relations policy, as reported by various newspapers between 26 and 30 April 2007.

“The extent of the radical shift for Australia’s workplace relations outlined in the policy is very worrying. The policy runs directly counter to the needs of a modern workplace and economy. There is no justification that can be made on economic, business or policy grounds for the changes.”

BCA President Michael Chaney quoted in article titled ‘Business Sees Sinister Pattern Emerging’ by Adrian Rollins, The Australian Financial Review, 30 April 2007, p. 4.

Business Council of Australia president Michael Chaney said Labor’s new policy involved a “massive re-regulation of employer-employee relations which would turn the clock back on productivity and growth”.

From ‘Rudd Earns Wrath of Business’ by Steve Lewis, The Australian, 30 April 2007, p. 1.

‘When Mr Rudd addressed the Business Council of Australia in February he promised to consult with the business community on critical issues and to establish a Council of Business Advisers to help formulate policy. But his policy on IR has created alarm and anger in the business community …’

From editorial titled ‘Labor Looks for Its Future in the Past’, The Australian, 30 April 2007, p. 9.

Business Council of Australia president Michael Chaney said the “retrograde” policy would threaten prosperity and was “a massive re-regulation of employer–employee relations which would turn the clock back on productivity and growth”.

From ‘Labor Laws Allow Opt-Out’ by Misha Schubert, The Age, 30 April 2007, p. 4.

The Business Council of Australia lashed out, declaring the policy “a significant reversal of workplace flexibility that would threaten the nation’s economic prosperity”. President Michael Chaney said Labor was proposing “a massive re-regulation of employer–employee relations, which would turn the clock back on productivity and growth and undermine job creation and real wage growth over time”.

From ‘Rudd Pitches Green Loan Plan’ by Michelle Grattan & Katharine Murphy, The Age, 30 April 2007, p. 1.

Business Council of Australia chief Michael Chaney told a Sydney lunch last week that businessmen and women have told him they are affronted by the unions’ campaign.

From op-ed titled ‘Union Attack Does Not Stand up to Scrutiny’ by Ian Smith, The Advertiser, 30 April 2007, p. 18.

Business Council of Australia president Michael Chaney said the ALP’s approach was a worrying “massive re-regulation” of the workplace that threatened prosperity.

From ‘Carpenter Warns Rudd Against Ending AWAs’ by Andrew Probyn & Shane Wright, The West Australian, 30 April 2007, p. 1.

The Business Council of Australia said Labor's plans posed more questions than answers. “The creation of a mega-regulator appears to be at odds with Labor’s claimed aims of flexibility and decentralisation and with their broader policy comments on the need to reduce regulation and regulatory burdens,” it said.

From ‘Rudd Tipped to Get His Way on ALP Policy’, The Canberra Times, 27 April 2007, p. 2.