Government gears up for 'much anticipated' Jobs and Skills summit

Job security, wage increase, and workplace reforms, among others, will finally be addressed in the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said.

On 11 July, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in a press conference that the “much-awaited” Jobs and Skills Summit would take place on 1 and 2 September 2022 at Parliament House in Canberra. 

The business network ACCI said the Summit, which would include unions, employers, civil society, and government, is a step of the Albanese government towards fulfilling its “election commitment.”

What’s in it for the employers?

According to ACCI, the Summit would help actualize the Albanese government’s aim to build a “bigger, better-trained and more productive workforce,” enhance living standards, and give Australians the chance to get ahead. 

“It will recommend immediate actions and opportunities for medium and long-term reform,” the ACCI said. 

The Summit, expected to have approximately 100 attendees according to ACCI, is said to be “crucial” because it comes at a time when the country’s workers face economic challenges such as rising inflation and interest rates, plunging wages, and trillion-dollar debt.  

According to ACCI, the prime minister and treasurer will lead the Summit along with all the ministers.

However, the business network reported that Ministers Katy Gallagher, Tony Burke, Clare O’Neil, Amanda Rishworth, Brendan O’Connor, and Ed Husic would be in charge of specific policy areas, and these include:

• Maintaining unemployment low, boosting productivity, and raising incomes
• Delivering secure, well-paid jobs and strong, sustainable wages growth
• Expanding employment opportunities for all Australians, including the most disadvantaged
• Addressing skills shortages and getting our skills to mix right over the long-term
• Improving migration settings to support higher productivity and wages
• Maximising jobs and opportunities from renewable energy, tackling climate change, the digital economy, the care economy, and a Future Made in Australia
• Ensuring women have equal opportunities and equal pay.

Despite the uncertainty of the actual outcomes of the Summit, the ACCI said that Treasurer Jim Chalmers indicated that the results from the discussions of the different sectors during the forum could likely be implemented as early as the October federal budget. 

“The themes and outcomes of the summit will inform the full employment white paper which was also an election commitment from the Prime Minister,” the ACCI said. “Led by Treasury, the white paper will help shape the future of Australia’s labour market. Calls for submissions will be made over the next 12 months.”

The ACCI said its representatives would also attend the Summit with other employer groups, unions, community groups, and governments. 

Following the treasurer’s call for submissions, the ACCI said it would provide its own proposal to the “white paper process” to uphold its role as a solid representative of Australian businesses.