Mark McKenzie

The proposed bargaining legislation prioritises the goal of lifting wages above the equally important goal of delivering the business productivity gains needed to fund such wage increases.

The suggestion that we return to an IR system that risks increasing the numbers of productive days lost due to strike action to address the flaws of the existing bargaining system is illogical, writes former COSBOA chair Mark McKenzie.

McKenzie says conflict and zero-compromise behaviours must be relegated to pre-COVID IR history, where they belong.

"We are deeply concerned that the continuation of the Melbourne COVID-19 lockdown ... will create a cycle of poverty and unemployment."

The 2020 federal budget creates a climate of confidence at a time when most small business owners are struggling with unprecedented uncertainty.

Australians are resilient, and our economy will survive the COVID-19 crisis, writes COSBOA chair Mark McKenzie. But we must all work together to make sure that happens.