Minister attacks employer claims on industrial relations system

25/05/05
A Chamber of Commerce and Industry claim that Western Australian business would be better off under the Howard Government's industrial relations changes, shows how out of touch it is with its members, Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke said today.
"Sixty per cent of WA's workforce is covered by the State industrial relations system, which must mean that a lot of CCI members have recognised they're better off with the choice currently offered under the State system," Mr Kobelke said.
"The CCI's unsubstantiated claim is little more than an attempt to give political back-up to John Howard's extreme right-wing proposals and not about a genuine attempt at improving workplace relations."
The Minister called on the chamber to give evidence for its criticism of the WA industrial relations system.
Mr Kobelke said that on the contrary, the evidence was clear that WA's system was far superior to that proposed by the Howard Government.
"While the Federal system covers just 40 per cent of employees in Western Australia, it was responsible for almost 70 per cent of all the reported industrial disputes in this State last year," he said.
"WA is enjoying record low State unemployment rates of under five per cent, annual economic growth of seven per cent and the highest productivity level of any State for the past three years.
"The existing Federal industrial relations system is well known for long, drawn-out industrial disputes and it is little wonder why unions, employees in small businesses and even the State's very own Liberal party leader Matt Birney, are publicly expressing their concerns.
"Employers are wise to choose the State's simple, user-friendly and speedy system over the expensive, complex, dispute-prone system being proposed by the Howard Government and supported by the CCIWA.
"Unlike the Howard Government, the Gallop Government will always look after the interests of Western Australians."
Minister's office: 9222 9211