Hilmer shows need for Productivity in Fair Work Review
Monday, 09 January 2012 07:22
Today’s comments by one of Australia’s national competition policy architects, Fred Hilmer highlight the failure of Labor to be genuinely interested in dealing with declining productivity by failing to include any mention of it in the terms of reference in the review of the Fair Work Act Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Senator Eric Abetz said today.
Professor Hilmer said “I would like to see a broad review with productivity in its terms of reference but the commonwealth does not have the same appetite for competition reform that it once did.”
“All along we have been calling for the review of the Fair Work Act to include productivity, the plight of small business and the need for genuine flexibility but Labor have failed to deliver,” Senator Abetz said.
“The review should be full and robust, and listen to all quarters of the community, not just those that side with Minister Shorten and his union boss mates.”
“It must not assume that the Fair Work Act is 'working well' or that only 'tinkering' is required.”
“Mr Shorten seems more interested in filling his unfulfilled ambition to become ACTU Secretary rather than the national interest,” Senator Abetz concluded.
