Peter Strong: Does Labor care for small business? Not really
Close scrutiny of Labor policy suggests the small business community is being taken for a ride at a time when they most need practical assistance, says Peter Strong.
Why giving workers the right to disconnect should be a key pillar of IR reforms
Until we take a holistic approach to workplace reform, productivity, life-work balance, and wage growth, we will risk only achieving less than optimum outcomes.
The government’s draft IR reforms need proper safeguards to ensure businesses aren’t at risk
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.
Explained: How Labor’s industrial relations reforms will profoundly affect every small business
Here's what you need to know about the bill, from its proposed overhaul of the enterprise bargaining system to new Fair Work Commission powers to enforce hybrid work arrangements.
Labor tables IR reform bill, pushing for multi-employer bargaining changes to boost worker wages
The federal government has introduced the first batch of its long-heralded industrial relations reforms into Parliament.
John Durie: New directors vie for COSBOA board positions as council looks to put union deal concern behind them
Australian Meat Industry Council’s Patrick Hutchinson and Independent Food Distributors Association’s Richard Forbes are among those standing for election on October 27.
John Durie: COSBOA confirms it “does not support the unionisation of small business” in response criticism of ACTU deal
COSBOA has formally releases a statement of intent in the wake of internal and external criticism of its pre-Jobs Summit deal with the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
John Durie: ACCI boss brings in former Costello staffer as economics policy chief
David Alexander has served a number of roles since working for the former treasurer, most recently with government relations firm Barton Deakin.
John Durie: Members express concern over ACTU communications, but COSBOA says issues have been addressed
The NSW Lotteries and Newsagents Association and the Independent Food Distributors Association are among the COSBOA members which have expressed concern at the lack of consultation regarding the ACTU meeting.
John Durie: COSBOA to clarify industrial relations position as chair plays down talk of internal disagreements
COSBOA chair Matthew Addison has rejected suggestions that either his or chief executive Alexi Boyd’s positions were in jeopardy as a result of the controversy surrounding the federal government's recent Jobs Summit.
Peter Strong: What was missing from the Jobs Summit, and why the government must be wary of unions
The summit of course could not focus on everything as there is never enough time. So, what was missed when it comes to lifting productivity and growing wages?
“Small business is at the front”: COSBOA celebrates Jobs and Skills Summit as SME issues appear in 36-point plan
Australia's small business community now sits front of mind for lawmakers after the Jobs and Skills Summit, COSBOA chief Alexi Boyd says.
