ACCI backs Turnbull's workplace relations plan

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the biggest alliance of employers in the country, has announced its support for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s economic agenda, including employment and workplace reforms, as the organisation launches its plan, 'Top 10 in 10: Ten steps towards a more competitive Australia'.

Among the policies the ACCI is backing are initiatives to assist young Australians with gaining employment, and measures to counter the sharp decrease in the number of new apprentices. The ACCI hopes its ten-point plan will focus attention on budget repair and tax reform ahead of the Federal Election on July 2.

The ACCI is the mouthpiece for 300,000 employers and 70 industry groups. Its chief, James Pearson, told The Australian, “Without immediate and effective action on youth unemployment, we risk consigning many thousands of young Australians to the fringes of the economy.

“Unfortunately, opposition from the union movement runs the risk of derailing the program, despite support from business and leading social welfare groups. I call on the union movement to work with us, and government, to put the plan into action.

“A strong apprenticeships and traineeships system ensures our workforce has the skills its needs for the jobs of the future,” the ACCI stated.

The ACCI has also called for action to cut bureaucracy and allow more flexibility in workplace relations so that workers can negotiate individual agreements with workers, without unions being involved. The ACCI plan, launched in Sydney, advocates "giving managers and workers the flexibility to reach workplace arrangements that suit their needs".

Speaking of the broader economic climate, Pearson said, “We need bipartisan backing for business and for the company tax cut. A business with a turnover of $10m is not a big business. We don’t want a two-tier tax system and believe the eventual target of 25 percent, for businesses of all sizes, is what the country needs to stimulate investment to encourage growth and to generate more jobs.”