This week John Hart visited Dr Craig Emerson (Minister for Small Business, Services and Independent Contractors) and Steve Ciobo (the Shadow Minister) to detail the challenges the industry is facing with Award Modernisation. Following the article (attached) that was in the Financial Review this week there has been some additional interest in these issues.
Whilst it is understood that the LHMU were similarly canvassing MPs on these issues this week, the purpose of the R&CA’s visits was to encourage the Government and Opposition Small Business Ministers to have their respective IR Ministers (especially the Government) understand the impacts of collapsing hospitality awards into one award on the operation of restaurant businesses.
From a small business perspective, the complexity of the award and additional costs (that would have an inflationary impact) are central to the defence of the industry position. The advocacy has focussed on the objective of award modernisation that requires that modern awards should be’ simple to understand and easy to apply, and must reduce the regulatory burden on business’.
The prosecution of this cause will continue next week at the Friends of Tourism function in Parliament House. So far 50 MPs and Senators have RSVPed for the event. The theme of the dinner will be a FAIR GO for restaurateurs and caterers – A FAIR GO on industrial relations, a FAIR GO on regulation and a FAIR GO on workforce development.
