O75 Public Administration

First blood: strikes to roll under ABCC delay

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 2-Dec-16

Kane Constructions will be targeted by a series of rolling strikes by the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union because it has refused to sign a pattern enterprise bargaining agreement that does not comply with the new building code. It is estimated that about 30 clauses in the EBA may not comply with the code, which will apply to Kane as soon as it takes effect. In contrast, some 1,500 firms that have signed the EBA will not have to comply with the code until 2018. The protected strike action at 13 of Kane’s construction sites in Victoria will commence on 2 December 2016.

CORPORATES
KANE CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, BRICKWORKS LIMITED – ASX BKW

Turnbull to mount fresh IR push in 2017

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Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 2-Dec-16

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash has advised that the Federal Government proposes further industrial relations reform in 2017, after the Senate passed a bill to reinstate the Australian Building & Construction Commission. The Government intends to implement more of the recommendations made by the trade unions royal commission, as well as the Productivity Commission’s review of the industrial relations system. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the Australian Labor Party will abolish the ABCC if it wins the next election.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT, AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. ROYAL COMMISSION INTO TRADE UNION GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION, AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, AUSTRALIA. FAIR WORK COMMISSION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

Gary Morgan’s comment on Australia’s worrying State-based unemployment picture

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Original article by Gary Morgan, Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 2-Dec-16

One clear political impact of the worsening employment situation is the rise of regional parties around Australia. In particular we have the rise of the Nick Xenophon Team (NXT) in South Australia (three Senators and one Lower House MP), the return of One Nation – primarily in Queensland, but also strong in Western Australia and regional New South Wales (four Senators around Australia), the popularity of Senator Jacqui Lambie and the Jacqui Lambie Network in Tasmania and even the election of Senator Derryn Hinch in Victoria. To overcome the popularity of regional parties Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the L-NP Government must concentrate more on the regional problems of high and rising unemployment and under-employment with policies prioritising job creation and a growing economy.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, NICK XENOPHON TEAM, ONE NATION PARTY, JACQUI LAMBIE NETWORK, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA

The ‘Two-Speed’ economy returns with soaring unemployment and under-employment in Australia’s four smaller States (QLD, WA, SA & Tas)

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Market Research Update – Page: Online : 2-Dec-16

Special analysis of Roy Morgan Research real employment estimates in each State over the three months to October 2016 shows that unemployment and under-employment are a growing problem in Australia’s four smallest States of Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania – all four of which now have total unemployment and under-employment above the national average. In contrast, Australia’s two largest States have clearly the healthiest labour markets and New South Wales – with total unemployment and under-employment of 15.2% (down 2.1% from a year ago) is the clear standout. In Victoria 16.0% of the workforce is now unemployed or under-employed – up 1.4% from a year ago but still well below Australia’s national average of 17.6% (up 1.0%). The end of the mining boom has clearly had a big impact on Western Australia – now at 19.6% (up 3.7%) unemployment and under-employment and Queensland 20.3% (up 3.3%), while Australia’s smallest State of Tasmania continues to have a substantial problem with total unemployment and under-employment of 22.5% (up 1.8%). The closure of several large manufacturing plants in South Australia – including the ceasing of Holden Cruze production at its Elizabeth plant in early October has clearly had an impact, and South Australia now has the highest unemployment and under-employment in the nation at 23% (up 5% in a year).

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, GM HOLDEN LIMITED

Resources rent tax will face a ‘sober’ review

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Original article by Joanna Mather, Angela Macdonald-Smith
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 1-Dec-16

Treasurer Scott Morrison has revealed plans for an inquiry into Australia’s Petroleum Resources Rent Tax. Government revenue from the tax has fallen sharply in the wake of a downturn in the crude oil price, which has made oil and gas projects less profitable. Shell Australia chairman Andrew Smith argues that revenue from the "super profits"-based tax naturally fluctuates with commodity price changes, and lower government revenue does not mean the PRRT is flawed.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, SHELL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LIMITED – ASX WPL, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, AUSTRALIAN PETROLEUM PRODUCTION AND EXPLORATION ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Resources rent tax will face a ‘sober’ review

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Original article by Joanna Mather, Angela Macdonald-Smith
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 1-Dec-16

Treasurer Scott Morrison has revealed plans for an inquiry into Australia’s Petroleum Resources Rent Tax. Government revenue from the tax has fallen sharply in the wake of a downturn in the crude oil price, which has made oil and gas projects less profitable. Shell Australia chairman Andrew Smith argues that revenue from the "super profits"-based tax naturally fluctuates with commodity price changes, and lower government revenue does not mean the PRRT is flawed.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY, SHELL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED, EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LIMITED – ASX WPL, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, AUSTRALIAN PETROLEUM PRODUCTION AND EXPLORATION ASSOCIATION LIMITED

NZ National Party support up again in November as NZ Roy Morgan Government Confidence surges despite series of earthquakes

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Morgan Poll Update – Page: Online : 1-Dec-16

A New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll on voting intention has found that support for the ruling National Party rose by 1.5% to 49.5% per cent in November 2016. The poll also shows that support for a potential Labour/Greens alliance has fallen by 0.5% per cent to 37.5%, while the NZ Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating has risen by 14.5 points to 141 points. Roy Morgan Research executive chairman Gary Morgan notes that the National Party now has its strongest lead since July. In contrast, the poor performance of Labour in November will be a concern for Opposition Leader Andrew Little heading into an election year. Labour has plunged to support of only 23% (down 3.5%) – its lowest support since late 2014.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, NATIONAL PARTY OF NEW ZEALAND, LABOUR PARTY (NEW ZEALAND), GREEN PARTY OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND, CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF NEW ZEALAND, THE MAORI PARTY, ACT NEW ZEALAND, INTERNET PARTY, MANA PARTY

Delay taints PM’s ABCC victory

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Original article by David Crowe
The Australian – Page: 1 & 5 : 1-Dec-16

The Senate has voted 36-33 in favour of a bill to reinstate the Australian Building & Construction Commission, but existing enterprise bargaining agreements will not have to comply with the new building code until November 2018. The Federal Government agreed to a two-year transition period in order to secure the support of Senator Derryn Hinch, who says he had concerns about the retrospective nature of the code as originally proposed by the Government. Meanwhile, the Opposition’s employment spokesman Brendan O’Connor says the Australian Labor Party will abolish the ABCC if it wins the next federal election.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY, MINING AND ENERGY UNION OF AUSTRALIA, LEND LEASE GROUP LIMITED – ASX LLC, PROBUILD PTY LTD, MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT, ONE NATION PARTY

NZ National Party support up again in November as NZ Roy Morgan Government Confidence surges despite series of earthquakes

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Original article by Roy Morgan Research
Morgan Poll Update – Page: Online : 1-Dec-16

A New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll on voting intention has found that support for the ruling National Party rose by 1.5% to 49.5% per cent in November 2016. The poll also shows that support for a potential Labour/Greens alliance has fallen by 0.5% per cent to 37.5%, while the NZ Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating has risen by 14.5 points to 141 points. Roy Morgan Research executive chairman Gary Morgan notes that the National Party now has its strongest lead since July. In contrast, the poor performance of Labour in November will be a concern for Opposition Leader Andrew Little heading into an election year. Labour has plunged to support of only 23% (down 3.5%) – its lowest support since late 2014.

CORPORATES
ROY MORGAN RESEARCH LIMITED, NATIONAL PARTY OF NEW ZEALAND, LABOUR PARTY (NEW ZEALAND), GREEN PARTY OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND, CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF NEW ZEALAND, THE MAORI PARTY, ACT NEW ZEALAND, INTERNET PARTY, MANA PARTY

Penalty rate cuts will not save jobs: Citi

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Original article by Anna Patty
The Age – Page: 23 : 1-Dec-16

Per Capita’s Tim Lyons says a report from Citigroup shows that retailers would not hire additional staff if penalty rates are reduced. The report concludes that retailers are likely to pass the benefits of lower penalty rates on to their shareholders in the form of higher returns or by cutting prices for consumers. It also notes that the enterprise agreements of many listed retailers have expired, and suggests that they are not renewing the agreements due to expectations of a reduction in penalty rates.

CORPORATES
CITIGROUP PTY LTD, PER CAPITA AUSTRALIA LIMITED, ACTU, MYER HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX MYR, JB HI-FI LIMITED – ASX JBH, WESFARMERS LIMITED – ASX WES, BUNNINGS GROUP LIMITED, BIG W DISCOUNT STORES, COLES SUPERMARKETS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, JUST GROUP LIMITED, KMART AUSTRALIA LIMITED, TARGET AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NATIONAL RETAIL ASSOCIATION LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION, AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THE AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY GROUP