Workplace relations
Australia needs a modern and adaptable workplace system that attracts investment, drives sustainable wage growth, supports communities and contributes to national prosperity.
Overview
Mining is the largest contributor to the Australian economy, accounting for almost 10 per cent of GDP. The industry is the largest source of the nation’s export income, with the resources sector accounting for $413 billion (69 per cent) of the nation’s export revenue in 2021-22.
In addition, the mining industry:
- Employed 286,000 people in 2020-21 – and directly and indirectly supports over 1.1 million jobs at over 200 operating mine sites and in supply chains
- Pays more on average than any other industry in Australia ($148,000 a year compared to $96,800 across all industries) – with 99 per cent of mining workers earning above-Award wages and conditions
- Provides secure jobs, with 86 per cent of mining workers employed on a permanent basis and 96 per cent employed full time.
Policy Priorities
‘Same Job, Same Pay” and the “Closing Loopholes” legislation
The Government’s ‘Same Job, Same Pay” legislation isn’t about equal pay for men and women. Nor is it about “closing loopholes”.
It’s about creating devastating complexity for businesses and workers that will threaten jobs, businesses and ultimately, drive up the cost-of-living. It is a direct attack on the effectiveness of Australia’s mining and resources industries.
At a time when there are multiple challenges for the entire Australian economy with high inflation, high interest rates, flagging productivity and overseas competition for investment, now is not the time to introduce workplace relations changes that do nothing to meet these challenges.
We are proud that mining is already Australia’s highest paying and most productive industry. These changes will only discourage investment, reduce productivity and ultimately reduce job opportunities and wage growth in mining.
- The Government’s Bill should not be passed by Parliament.
- The Bill should be scrapped and the Government needs to go back to the drawing board.
Go to findabetterway.com.au to find out more.
Related Resources
- MCA advice - Proposed amendments to the Fair Work Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill - Same Job Same Pay 28 November 2023
- MCA analysis - Impact of Same Job Same Pay legislation on WA mining industry - November 2023
- MCA Enterprise Agreement Tracker - WA Mining Industry - November 2023
- Advice on proposed government amendments to the Fair Work Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill - 3 November 2023
- MCA submission on Fair Work Legislation (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023
- MCA submission to DEWR - Same Job Same Pay - May 2023
- MCA submission to DEWR - 'Employee-like' forms of work - May 2023
- MCA submission to DEWR - Stronger protections for workers against discrimination - May 2023
- MCA submission to Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee - Fair Work Legislation (Protecting Worker Entitlements) Bill 2023 - April 2023
- Proposed 2023 Workplace Relations legislation – submission to government, April 2023
- Same Job, Same Pay consultation - submission to government, December 2022
- Fair Work Legislation Amendments (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2023 – submission to Senate Committee inquiry, November 2022
- CIE Estimating the economic benefits of mining expansion
- Deloitte Report - Economic effects of changes to labour hire laws 2019