The Victorian business community has welcomed a constructive meeting with Premier Ben Carroll to discuss the implications of Jacinta Allan’s Work from Home legislation, strengthening the relationship between Government and business moving forward.
The meeting brought together Victoria’s peak business groups on Thursday night – including the Property Council, Australian Industry Group, VCCI, HIA, BCA and VACC – to outline the concerns of employers around the former Premier’s rushed WFH Bill.
Victorian Congress of Employer Associations Chair Tim Piper said the meeting was an opportunity to reset the relationship between Government and business.
“We welcome the Premier’s engagement with the business community and appreciate the opportunity for a constructive discussion about Jacinta Allan’s Work from Home legislation and the broader economic challenges facing Victoria,” Mr Piper said.
“We remain of the view the previous government rushed this legislation through without considering the broader economic and operational implications. Our meeting with Premier Carroll indicated he is thinking strategically about Victoria’s economic future, which is encouraging.
“We continue to call for the Bill to be withdrawn. Business has been clear that we support flexible working arrangements, but these arrangements work best when they are agreed between employers and employees and reflect the needs of individual workplaces.
“The meeting provided an opportunity to move beyond the working from home system that is already working well in Victoria and focus on the broader challenges facing the state.
“We need to be focused on the bigger economic picture – improving productivity, attracting investment, creating jobs to lower our high unemployment rate, and restoring business confidence.
“The Work from Home Bill has become a distraction from those bigger challenges. With the Government having already delayed its implementation, now is the time to withdraw the Bill and give Government and business the opportunity to reset and work constructively together.”
Mr Piper said the business community was ready to continue working with the Premier and Government on the issues that matter most to Victoria’s economic future.
“This is an opportunity to turn the page on Jacinta Allan’s unnecessary Bill and build a more constructive relationship between Government and business.”
Joint statement on behalf of:
Media contacts:
Property Council: Alexandra Keefe | 0488 525 288| akeefe@propertycouncil.com.au
Victorian Chamber of Commerce: Chris Hennessy | 0433 885 442 | chris.hennessy@victorianchamber.com.au