“The passage of the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014 will enable businesses to respond quickly to global competition, and maintain and create jobs,” Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“While there are many factors affecting Australia’s declining competitiveness, our current workplace laws have made it harder for businesses to respond quickly to increasing global competition.

“With unemployment increasing, this is an opportunity for parliament to acknowledge that our restrictive workplace laws are making job creation harder.

The Bill is more important than ever, with the World Economic Forum’s latest global competitiveness ranking showing Australia has slipped back to 22nd, down two places in the past two years. Restrictive labour regulations rate as the most problematic factor for doing business.

It is time for our parliament to take Australia’s competitiveness problems seriously. These modest amendments will start the process of restoring our competitiveness and productivity performance.

“I encourage Senators to support this Bill, as it is an important step in helping businesses respond quickly to increasing global competitive pressures, and supporting jobs growth.

“The Productivity Commission review of the Fair Work Act is an opportunity to identify further reforms that will be needed to ensure we have a workplace relations system for the future, and we look forward to the outcomes of the review,” Ms Westacott said.

For further information contact:
Scott Thompson, Director, Media and Public Affairs
Business Council of Australia
Telephone (03) 8664 2603 | Mobile 0403 241 128