The group has today placed an open letter outlining our concerns that, if passed, the legislation would jeopardise future business viability and jobs and fundamentally impact employer-employee relationships across Australia.

The letter was endorsed by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business NSW, Industry Canberra Business Chamber, Chamber of Commerce NT, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, Business SA, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA.

Among the concerns are:

• Changes to multi-employer bargaining will drag businesses, particularly small and medium businesses, against their will into a complex system they cannot afford.
• Higher costs will drive inflation and put upward pressure on interest rates.
• One-size-fits-all wage outcomes will undermine workplace flexibility and productivity.

The business industry groups are urging the Government to delay and properly consult on the Bill, or split it to allow more time for consideration and examination of business’ concerns of the most contentious elements.

The Federal Government has indicated it wants to have the Bill finalised and passed through Parliament by December 1. To obtain a copy of the open letter, please contact the Media Team at media@victorianchamber.com.au.

The Victorian Chamber is hosting a free webinar to outline what is included in the Bill at 9am on Tuesday, 22 November. Businesses can register on our website.

To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra:

“This Bill has been rushed through without appropriate consultation and should be delayed until the Government has run an appropriate process and adequately articulated the ramifications of the Bill for employers and employees.

“Proposed changes to multi-employer bargaining risks implicating small, medium and family businesses into agreements that might not be fit for purpose and detrimental to their ability to take on new employees. It’s not the right time to be lumping additional regulation and complexity onto businesses as they recover from the pandemic and get through tough economic conditions.

“A one-size-fits all approach to wages undermines business flexibility and productivity, which has adverse outcomes for employees and employers.”