Australian Industry Group boss Innes Willox has lashed the government's latest industrial relations reforms, saying they are being driven by"myths and legends" rather than facts.
"Changes to workplace laws need to be based on facts and research, not on political slogans and union claims. Productivity was the area which needed urgent attention, he said, and was alarmed that none of the proposed changes appeared to touch on the issue. "If we don't raise our productivity through skills and training, infrastructure, taxation reform, workplace measures, and even more to give us the tools to work smarter, not longer, and that's what productivity is, we risk missing our broader societal ambitions," he said.
Mr Willox argued the changes could end up worsening the problem by harming"productive and efficient business operations". "One final government policy, or suggested policy, that I'll mention briefly is the proposal to expand the rights of union delegates and union officials," he said.