reform that affects business and the community as a whole. Our vision is for Australia to be the best place in the world in which to live, learn, work and do business. OVERVIEW The Business Council of Australia welcomes the government’s review of the Fair Work Act (FW Act) as an important process to consider whether the system is operating effectively to meet the needs of Australian employers, their workers and the nation as a whole. The main challenge for this review is coming to terms with the changing nature of the Australian economy, our workforce and our workplaces, and the performance of the Fair Work Act in providing for this change. It needs to do more than examine the provisions of the Act by recognising the impact of the legislation on workplace culture and behaviour. This submission reports the experiences of our member companies but is founded on four Business Council of Australia principles for the effective operation of the Australian workplace relations system: it must be fit for purpose and support the changing requirements of the economy it should support collaborative relations at the enterprise level that engender safe, harmonious and productive workplaces characterised by direct engagement between employer and employee it should provide support for vulnerable people and give employees flexibility about who represents them it must meet the of all individuals, those already in the workforce and those who would like to be, those who belong to unions and those who don’t. Australia’s prosperity and economic strength have, in large part, been predicated on a shared understanding between business, governments and workers that we must grow the economy in order to raise the living standards of all Australians. That understanding recognises that economic growth will largely be delivered by our companies remaining competitive. In a changing world, Australian business can only stay competitive if different parties work together to create productive, collaborative, safe and innovative workplaces. We need a workplace relations system that will support this. The review of the Fair Work Act provides an opportunity to create a renewed partnership between government, business and employees to strengthen the Australian economy for the benefit of all Australians. Context of the review Changing nature of the economy The Australian economy is blessed with many sound fundamentals, envied by other developed countries. The opportunities available to us, particularly from our relationship
reform that affects business and the community as a whole. Our vision is for Australia to be the best place in the world in which to live, learn, work and do business. OVERVIEW The Business Council of Australia welcomes the government’s review of the Fair Work Act (FW Act) as an important process to consider whether the system is operating effectively to meet the needs of Australian employers, their workers and the nation as a whole. The main challenge for this review is coming to terms with the changing nature of the Australian economy, our workforce and our workplaces, and the performance of the Fair Work Act in providing for this change. It needs to do more than examine the provisions of the Act by recognising the impact of the legislation on workplace culture and behaviour. This submission reports the experiences of our member companies but is founded on four Business Council of Australia principles for the effective operation of the Australian workplace relations system: it must be fit for purpose and support the changing requirements of the economy it should support collaborative relations at the enterprise level that engender safe, harmonious and productive workplaces characterised by direct engagement between employer and employee it should provide support for vulnerable people and give employees flexibility about who represents them it must meet the of all individuals, those already in the workforce and those who would like to be, those who belong to unions and those who don’t. Australia’s prosperity and economic strength have, in large part, been predicated on a shared understanding between business, governments and workers that we must grow the economy in order to raise the living standards of all Australians. That understanding recognises that economic growth will largely be delivered by our companies remaining competitive. In a changing world, Australian business can only stay competitive if different parties work together to create productive, collaborative, safe and innovative workplaces. We need a workplace relations system that will support this. The review of the Fair Work Act provides an opportunity to create a renewed partnership between government, business and employees to strengthen the Australian economy for the benefit of all Australians. Context of the review Changing nature of the economy The Australian economy is blessed with many sound fundamentals, envied by other developed countries. The opportunities available to us, particularly from our relationship