The PIAA says Scott Morrison's decision to move the Jobs and Industrial Relations Ministerial Portfolio into Cabinet is a welcome move for the nation's print businesses.
The printing and packaging industry’s peak body says that there is a lot to do in the field of industrial relations, including delivering certainty to businesses on wage rates, entitlements, casual employees and inconsistent decisions coming out of the Fair Work Commission.
The PIAA says Morrison's decision to move this portfolio into Cabinet long reflects PIAA’s advocacy that industrial relations reform needs to be at the forefront of the Government’s policy agenda. The Association has also congratulated Kelly O’Dwyer on her appointment to the role of Minister.
Paul Mitchell, PIAA’s national workplace relations manager, said, “The Prime Minister is obviously looking to make a difference in this field in a short space of time and it is long overdue.”
The PIAA is also welcoming the appointment of former Fair Work deputy president, Graeme Watson, as the Minister O’Dwyer's senior advisor on Industrial Relations. Watson spectacularly resigned from the Fair Work Commission in early 2017, citing unfairness with the current Fair Work system.
CEO of PIAA Andrew Macaulay met with Watson and Minister O’Dwyer in Canberra. Macaulay said that his discussions with Watson were positive, noting that, “Graeme Watson has spent his entire life in the field of industrial relations delivering fair outcomes for business and employees. His appointment is a sound one and we look forward to working closely with him.”