Australian Industry Group’s advocacy on behalf of employers is second to none, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth told guests at our PIR Conference last week.
Ms Rishworth, who spoke at the Conference networking dinner, praised the Group for delivering “real outcomes for members” by approaching issues constructively and respectfully.
“I would like to acknowledge Innes Willox and Brent Ferguson, in particular, for their long-standing engagement in and highly valued contribution to the public policy debate in this country, particularly in the critical areas in my portfolio: workplace relations, skills and employment,” Ms Rishworth said.
“I would also like to recognise the quality of technical expertise Australian Industry Group brings to the table on behalf of employers; it is second to none.”
“I greatly appreciate Australian Industry Group’s constructive approach,” Ms Rishworth told guests.
“We may not always agree, but the conversation is always a respectful one — and it’s a smart approach, because it delivers real outcomes for its members.
“When it comes to workplace relations, I firmly believe that the way to achieve our shared aims of fair, safe and productive workplaces is through constructive dialogue: I’m talking about dialogue directly between employers, workers and their unions.
“I want to see this type of constructive dialogue increase and focus on how employers and employees can work smarter, grow businesses and the economy and make sure everyone gets a fair share of that growth through better wages.
“As we all well know, workplace relations can occasionally be a contested policy area . . . but constructive dialogue doesn’t require us to agree on everything.
“It requires us to come to the table in good faith with an open mind and a willingness to listen and share ideas.
“As was demonstrated at the recent Economic Reform Roundtable, the goodwill is certainly there to work our way through difficult issues and find consensus where we can.”
The Government is working hard to address the “deeply embedded structural and cultural problems” impacting the construction industry and is taking “the strongest action available to stamp out corruption, criminality and violence from the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU”, Ms Rishworth said.
“I don’t need to reiterate . . . how critical the construction industry is to the Australian economy,” she added.
Ms Rishworth outlined the progress of the CFMEU’s independent administrator, Mark Irving, including:
“We will continue to support the administrator’s vital work until the job is done,” Ms Rishworth said.
“We will continue to be guided by industry stakeholders who know what needs to be done on the ground to deliver real change. It is clear that the problems in construction are wider than just the union, and we need employers to step up and do their part, too.”
Ms Rishworth said Australian Industry Group would have the opportunity to become involved in a long-term reform process for the sector.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Australian Industry Group and its members throughout my term as Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations,” she said.
Read the speech in full.
View our PIR Conference 2025 photo gallery.
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at Australian Industry Group.
A former journalist for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK, she is passionate about giving businesses a voice.
