❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Chamber of Minerals and Energy's report on the mining industry, specifically addressing concerns about potential changes to industrial relations legislation and their impact on productivity and employment.
AnsweredQoN 371Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the minister aware that the report “Bedrock of the Economy 2001” released today by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia has identified workplace relations as a serious challenge facing the industry? (2) If so, will the minister outline the report’s concerns? Hon N.F. MOORE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
(2) If so, will the minister outline the report’s concerns? Hon N.F. MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon N.F. MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
(1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer.
By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
(2) If so, will the minister outline the report’s concerns? Hon N.F. MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon N.F. MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
(1)-(2) The Chamber of Mineral and Energy annually issues a document called “Bedrock of the Economy”, which is a summary of the state of the mining industry in Western Australia. This year it was issued by the chamber, but written by Bill Shields, the chief economist of Macquarie Bank Ltd, and the chamber’s executive officer Charles Crouch. The report makes the following comments about industrial relations and workplace relations. Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon Ken Travers: Tell us about the other issues. Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon N.F. MOORE: I am happy to do that on other occasions; there are a few of them. I have about seven questions to answer covering industrial relations, native title and things of that nature. The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
The PRESIDENT: Order! One at a time with interjections, members. Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon N.F. MOORE: Members, certainly on this side of the Chamber, will be pleased to know that the mining industry is looking to good health in the future. However, a number of restraints may hinder that progress, including potential workplace changes, greenhouse gas and native title. We can talk about those at another time. I quote page 51 of the report - Productivity per employee in the mining sector is substantially higher than elsewhere in the economy and has also increased faster over the past decade. At the same time the rate of industrial disputes has fallen dramatically. The graph included indicates a dramatic reduction in lost days per thousand employees. It further reads - Neither of these outcomes is an accident but instead flows from a new approach to workplace relations that allows for greater flexibility in work practices such as multi-skilling and flexible shift schedules. These innovations have flowed from labour market deregulations at both the State and Federal level and it is significant that Western Australia makes greater use of workplace agreements than any other State. Without these changes, productivity would be much lower and the industry’s competitive position much weaker. A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer. I make that point to remind the Opposition that we want to know before the election where it stands on industrial relations reform and workplace agreements. We want to know exactly what members opposite mean. As has been suggested by certain commentators about the forthcoming election, the Labor Party is a policy-free zone. As someone said, maybe Labor members burnt down the summer palace deliberately so they would not have a policy for the election. That would not have happened, of course. By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
A major concern is the suggestion of curtailing this flexibility by changing industrial legislation. Should the minerals and energy industry revert to a highly regulated industrial system, productivity and employment will certainly suffer.
By way of summary, this report, which is very contemporary, being released today, has highlighted industry concern - Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon Tom Helm: Do we all get a copy? Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
Hon N.F. MOORE: Ask for a copy and one will be provided. The member should get a copy as it might do him the world of good. The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
The report stated that a concern for the industry’s future is industrial relations change. I say to the Labor Party that if it has good industrial relations policies, let us know what they are before the election. Members opposite should not trot up after the election if they happen to win, God forbid, and apply an industrial relations policy which has the effect of significantly reducing the capacity of the industry to deliver the bedrock of the Western Australian economy.
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