Category: Australian Industry Group

New Critical Worker Isolation Rules in Australian States to Ease Mounting Pressure on Supply Chain

The national cabinet is set to approve changes to isolation rules for critical workers in New South Wales (pdf), and Queensland has been sent to the national cabinet for endorsement after it was approved by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. The new changes allow asymptomatic workers in critically essential roles that…


Industry Groups Urge Senate Against Publishing ‘Name and Shame’ List of JobKeeper Recipient Businesses

Industry groups have warned against calls to reveal the names of all large employers who received JobKeeper payments despite recording profits. Independent Senator Rex Patrick passed a motion, with the support of Labor, ordering the disclosure of all large companies who received the wage subsidy, how much they received, and how much they paid back,…


Business Support for Mandatory Vaccinations Is Equally Divided in Australia

An Australian survey of over 700 businesses found that support for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace is split down the middle, making it a contentious issue. Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) conducted a pulse survey earlier this month and found that 24 percent of the businesses surveyed said they would like mandated COVID-19 vaccinations…


Business Support for Mandatory Vaccinations Is Split in Australia

An Australian survey of over 700 businesses found that support for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace is split down the middle, making it a contentious issue. Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) conducted a pulse survey earlier this month and found that 24 percent of the businesses surveyed said they would like mandated COVID-19 vaccinations…


All Greater Sydney Construction Workers Back to Work, Must Show Proof of Vaccination

Construction has resumed across Greater Sydney for workers living within the eight local government areas (LGAs) of concern, provided they show proof of vaccination for COVID-19. “Construction workers from the affected LGAs will be added to the list of authorised workers allowing them to work on unoccupied construction sites in Greater Sydney if they meet…


‘Bloody Angry’: Construction Industry Furious at Shutdown Decision

The New South Wales government is under intense pressure from the construction industry over its sudden decision to close the whole sector down across Greater Sydney. Construction union CFMEU said the industry was “bloody angry” after the announcement was made on Saturday. “Last Friday, we were still told the industry could keep going,” CFMEU Secretary…


Not Enough Sydneysiders Social Distancing to Control Outbreak: Health Experts

Not enough Sydneysiders are practicing social distancing, according to new modelling from the University of Sydney (USyd)—which claims that increased compliance with the restrictions will see a significant reduction of cases. A group of USyd professors released the findings on July 13, claiming that currently, only 40 percent of the Sydney population was observing social…


Aussies Could Soon Get Vaccinated at Local Woolies, Bunnings, or Officeworks

Australian businesses are putting up their hands to provide public vaccinations sites to their local communities as the rollout is expected to ramp up in September. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Lieutenant-General John Frewen met with business leaders to discuss how industries could get involved in the national vaccine rollout effort. “Commonwealth GPs and hubs, and…


Australian Construction Sector Expansion Slows After Hitting the Peak

While Australia’s construction industry remains strong, high material prices and shortage of skilled labour is slowing its expansion. The Australian Industry Group/Housing Industry Association’s (HIA) construction performance index (pdf) fell further in June down to 55.5 points after hitting a record high in March. Despite the downward trend, a reading of above 50 points indicates…


Industry Groups Praise New COVID Plan but Disappointed in Arrivals Cap

Industry groups are welcoming the Australian government’s new four-step COVID plan that is based around vaccination numbers but call the reduction on international arrival caps “one step backwards.” Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) welcomed the new plan but recommended that the “post-vaccination phase” be reached when all those who can and want to receive shots are…