AMMA Media release
20 June 2008
AMMA welcomes AIRC decision giving
priority to mining industry on award modernisation
The Australian Industrial Relations
Commission’s (the Commission) decision to include mining on the priority list
of industries for award modernisation has been welcomed by Australian Mines and
Metals Association (AMMA).
‘The decision of the Commission
recognises the significance of the resources sector to the Australian economy
and will assist the industry to make an orderly transition to the new
industrial relations system that will commence in January 2010,’ Mr Steve
Knott, Chief Executive of AMMA said today.
AMMA appeared before both the Full
Bench in Melbourne and Senior Deputy President Harrison in Perth during the
Commission’s consultation hearings and urged the Commission to include the
mining industry on the priority list for award modernisation.
‘The resources sector is breaking
records with its minerals and energy export values forecasted to reach $153
billion in 2008-09. In the iron ore sector, growth in the value of metals and
other mineral exports is set to rise by 21 percent and accounts for more than
one third of the projected growth in total energy and minerals export earnings
in 2008-09. It is important that the mining industry continues to experience
stability and certainty to maximise this potential’ Mr Knott said.
The mining industry has
traditionally been at the forefront of change when it comes to workplace
arrangements. ‘Many employers in the mining industry were the first to make
State enterprise awards and enter into Australian Workplace Agreements and many
continue to operate under common law contracts that are underpinned by Notional
Agreements Preserving State Awards. These are the first areas of the workplace
relations system affected by the government’s reforms and it is only
appropriate that as a significant user of these instruments that the mining
industry is given priority,’ Mr Knott said.
‘Now that we have a list of
priority industries, the hardest task is ahead of us. The final date for
making priority awards is 12 December this year and this will require an
extraordinary effort by all stakeholders, something AMMA and its members
are resourced and committed to doing well in the interests of both employers
and employees in the sector’ Mr
Knott said.
For further comment please contact:
Christopher Platt,
AMMA Workplace Policy Director
Ph: 0419 918 408