11 Dec 2018 | Archive
“Government is to be congratulated for closing a loophole that has created months of uncertainty and called into question the employment of hundreds of thousands of Australians, particularly young people, students, parents and carers,” said James Pearson, the Chief Executive of Australia’s largest voice for small business, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr Pearson said the Australian Chamber welcomed the Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations announcing that a new regulation will make it clear that current and former casual employees cannot claim compensation for entitlements such as annual leave, public holidays etc. where they have already received a casual loading (generally 25% higher pay) in lieu of these entitlements.
The new regulation will address the ‘double dipping’ problem created by the Federal Court’s decision in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Skene [2018] FCAFC 131, of August 2018.
“Australians know it’s not fair to be paid twice for the same work – that’s not a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work,” Mr Pearson said.
“The Federal Government is stepping in to restore common sense in how casuals are paid.
“I have been approached by small business people genuinely worried about losing their businesses, homes and livelihoods following the Workpac v Skene decision. Small business people employing casuals across Australia will welcome the certainty delivered by today’s announcement.
“Today’s announcement is also positive for jobs. With over 300,000 young Australians leaving school at this time of the year, it is timely that employers will be able to offer casual jobs without the risk of unexpected and unfair claims down the track”.
However, Mr Pearson said many employers will be concerned at the prospect of more employees being able to convert from casual to full or part time employment.
“Casual conversion is rarely consistent with the realities of operating a business. It reduces scope for employees and employers to negotiate a balance that meets each of their needs.
“We need to remember that most casuals chose to stay casual because they like the additional pay and flexibility.
“We look forward to inputting the government’s implementation of extended casual conversion rights to ensure the interests of businesses, employees and job seekers are protected”.
13/09/2019
The Australian Chamber is delighted to announce Bryan Clark, Director of ACCI Trade & International Affairs, has been appointed to the Government’s Deregulation Taskforce, announced...
8/08/2019
The Australian Chamber is calling on the country's political leaders to agree to reform our vital Vocation Education and Training (VET) system, to deliver the skills...
6/08/2019
The Australian Chamber backs the latest call for greater balance in the unfair dismissal system to better support small business owners trying to do the right...
5/08/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes today’s announcement that the Productivity Commission will focus on streamlining regulation in the resources sector. "The joint announcement...
30/07/2019
By James Pearson, Chief Executive Officer In August 1985 Bob Hawke proclaimed that the Australian government had had enough of “the Building Labourers Federation’s complete...
23/07/2019
The Government has called time on union officials with deep pockets, arrogant attitudes, and combative lawyers thumbing their nose at our laws, our courts and...
22/07/2019
By James Pearson It's the year 2030. China has overtaken the US as the world's largest economy. The fastest growing cities are located in...
18/07/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Australia’s employer representative to the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation (ILO), says union opposition to proposed legislation...
18/07/2019
Today’s release of a report on Government-funded vocational training by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) showing a further decline in investment, reinforces the...
4/07/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business network, warmly welcomes the passage of the personal income tax package through the Senate. “The...
4/07/2019
Australia's largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Federal Government's reintroduction of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations)...
1/07/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls on the Parliament to pass the Government’s personal income tax...
1/07/2019
Australian Chamber – Tourism, the peak body of Australia’s tourism organisations welcomes the expansion of the Working Holiday Maker visa program. “The Australian Chamber-Tourism has...
24/06/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to review Australia’s Industrial Relations system...
19/06/2019
Australian Chamber – Tourism, the peak body of Australia’s tourism organisations, acknowledges the release of the International Visitors Survey today. The survey shows strong performance for...
18/06/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends for the June quarter 2019 released today, shows a slowing in manufacturing business...
11/06/2019
By James Pearson With the final seats being declared in the federal election, the government and opposition frontbench teams in place and parliament set to...
5/06/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business network, today expressed disappointment at the latest National Accounts figures showing lower...
4/06/2019
The Reserve Bank Board’s decision to lower the cash rate to 1.25% today has been welcomed by Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of...
3/06/2019
Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, congratulates the new Labor Shadow Ministry on their appointments and welcomes Federal Opposition Leader Anthony...