A commitment by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to modernise the national awards system is to be applauded, however its success will be determined by the benefits it delivers for employers and employees in the workplace.

The state’s peak business organisation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, believes the AIRC review provides an important opportunity to modernise the national industrial relations system by reducing the number of awards and simplifying those that remain.

The current system which comprises of more than 4,000 various awards is confusing, unwieldy and a significant regulatory burden on business, especially small and medium enterprises. Many of these arrangements are outdated and no longer relevant in a modern and flexible workplace.

CCI encourages the Federal Government and the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to include WA business in its consultation process to ensure the needs and interests of local employers are met.

CCI, which represents more than 5,000 small, medium and large businesses across all sectors of the Western Australian economy, is looking to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission to bring about a significant rethink of the awards system.

It is important that this review differs from others in the past which failed to deliver meaningful improvements to the system.

WA employers are hopeful the good intentions of the AIRC and the Federal Government will produce a clear and achievable plan to simplify the award system.

Statement by CCI Manager Workplace Relations Policy, Marcia Kuhne