Australian businesses are set to hit out at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, accusing his new industrial relations laws of taking the country backwards.
Business Council of Australia (BCA) chief executive Bran Black will tell Albanese in a speech on Tuesday night that leaders of many major companies “feel we are losing our way” economically under the Labor government.
“Instead of making big strides on the things that matter, we’re taking gradual but noticeable steps backwards,” Black will tell attendees at a dinner hosted by the lobby group, which will also be attended by treasurer Jim Chalmers.
“I’ve spoken to many CEOs who have told me they are much more cautious about hiring following the recent raft of workplace changes introduced by the government.”
Mr Black will criticise Labour’s new industrial relations laws, which will see the return of collective bargaining on pay and working conditions. The new laws also include a controversial “right to switch off” or ignore calls from bosses after hours.
According to Black, this will put jobs at risk.
“For a good job to be well paid, it must first exist,” he will tell the Prime Minister.
‘The abolition of collective bargaining between multiple employers should be considered a priority in this regard.
Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black (pictured) prepares to tell Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the nation is taking a “backslide” under his government.
“We need to get back to employers and employees reaching agreements for their workplaces as soon as possible, which reflect the fact that every company is unique, rather than seeing more top-down, one-size-fits-all policy approaches.”
Mr Black will warn that Australia is burdened by red tape, with public spending and debt threatening to undermine future prosperity.
“Nothing we have seen seriously proposed by any political sector in recent times would significantly alter that projection,” he said.
We have already passed the window of opportunity for incremental steps, so only bold policy steps will matter.
“We are constantly increasing regulation, rather than eliminating it, which makes it difficult to run a business.”
The CEO will also take aim at the Coalition over the Nationals’ attempt to break up Australian businesses, such as forcing Qantas to divest from budget airline Jetstar.
“We see ideas on the table to force our best-performing companies to divest, despite independent review after independent review saying this is the wrong path to take,” Black said.
“And we have seen so-called Robin Hood proposals to impose even greater taxes on our success. All of this reduces our competitiveness as a nation.
“And the result is best illustrated by the fact that I now have members – major employers – who are actively choosing to invest overseas rather than in Australia.”
Asked about the speech, Mr Albanese (pictured with his partner Jodie Haydon) highlighted the points his government has in common with the Business Council of Australia.
Mr Black will also outline five key areas of concern for the BCA which he wants the parties to commit to addressing during next year’s federal election.
These include the high cost of living, the housing crisis, the goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions, the cost of aged care and the current skills shortage.
Asked about Mr Black’s comments on Tuesday, Mr Albanese stressed that the BCA and his government had the same five priorities.
“It’s good that we are in tune with the priorities,” he said.
Mr Albanese said his government had created more than a million jobs and supported higher wages, “continued growth” and a “continued increase in business investment”.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth accused business groups of “posturing” ahead of next year’s federal election.
He said the government was “working with businesses across the board” to improve productivity, but fairness for workers was a key part of this equation.
“We’ve actually made sure that there’s a balance when it comes to negotiating pay and conditions, and what we’ve seen is a decrease in strikes and an increase in pay,” he told Channel Nine ahead of Black’s speech.
“This is good for workers, but also for companies.”
The BCA represents many of Australia’s largest companies including BHP, Hancock Prospecting, the Big Four banks and accountancy firms, Wesfarmers, Coles, Woolworths, Telstra, Atlassian and Qantas.