“Today’s refreshed Cabinet provides the opportunity to reset the government to create more productive workplaces, supporting industry growth and bring fresh urgency around the key defence policy areas,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Australian Industry Group, said today.
“We congratulate Murray Watt, the new minister for employment and workplace relations, on his appointment and look forward to working constructively with him in a key area for Australian employers. There are a range of highly significant issues currently in play in the portfolio ranging from the implementation of new industrial arrangements and the future of the construction division of the CFMEU which require immediate attention.
“We also look forward to working with Andrew Giles on following through with the work of his predecessor, Brendan O’Connor, on the critical need to skill up our workplace, particularly for young Australians.
“Tony Burke’s appointment as Home Affairs and Immigration Minister will allow him to focus on what is an extremely critical part of this nation’s workforce and on cybersecurity in an increasingly interconnected world.
“Bringing Patrick Conroy into Cabinet as Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery reinforces the importance of our defence sector, including the delivery of critical AUKUS capability. Hopefully, this elevation provides greater urgency to defence procurement.
“We congratulate Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and appreciate she will continue to bring a whole of government approach on First Australians, which was set by her predecessor Linda Burney.
“We also welcome the change for Senator Tim Ayres to his title to Assistant Minister for a Future Made in Australia from Assistant Minister for Manufacturing – indicating the need for this program to be delivered transparently and with broad economic benefit.
“We hope this reset allows the government to focus for the test of its term on delivering policy certainty and a stable environment that supports business productivity, investment and employment,” Mr Willox said.
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