PVCA to host briefing for incoming IR legislation

The Print and Visual Communication Association (PVCA) announced it would issue its second Advisory Notice and host an industry briefing seminar on Tuesday, 13th December, to provide guidance and critical information across the incoming IR legislation for Australia.

The association says it has communicated concerns challenging the legislation and calling on higher employee numbers, requesting clarification of purpose and reducing the impact on small business owners, reflecting the industry’s concerns over various components of the Bill. The PVCA has argued that there has not been adequate reasoning or research to say that the multi-employer bargaining component will bring productivity gains and increased wages and could be a significant cost to businesses.

“The legislation in its current form is broad and lacks definition in parts; there are still some debates and clarity to be finalised through the Senate this week which should provide some tightening in some areas. We will be watching these debates closely to review the finalised Bill to then be in a position to brief our members with detailed accuracy to our industry. Every business and every site in our industry operates under different costs and revenue arrangements which will present challenges to the omnibus approach of this Bill; however, we will prepare our members and further support them throughout the implementation of the legislation,” commented Charles Watson, GM – IR, Policy & Governance, PVCA.

Watson has recently been appointed as the GM – IR, Policy & Governance into the PVCA and brings over 14 years of print industry experience, having worked in the drafting of print awards and government legislation across the print industry historically.

“Given the Bill’s Regulatory Impact Statement shows that small business owners may be required to spend at least 4.6 hours every day for up to six months, away from their businesses, negotiating a multi-employer agreement should such bargaining be initiated, and recognising that 95% of print businesses are categorised as ‘small business’, or operating under $2.0 million turnover per annum, PVCA is committed to ensuring our members are well-informed across the new legislation to reduce the possible impact to their businesses. The Advisory Notices and the Member Briefing Seminar are being developed with specificity to our industry to ensure our members are well-versed in managing the incoming legislation,” commented Kellie Northwood, Chief Executive Officer, PVCA.

The Bill has been intensely debated by all sectors, with the government yesterday announcing it will accept all the recommended amendments from the Senate, including increasing the number of employees from 15 to 20 who are exempt and the re-definition of the inclusion of up to 50 employees, the onus of proof to the unions, rather than on businesses.

Additionally, the Minister will be provided specific power to designate an occupation or industry that will be eligible, differing from the single-interest stream outlined above and covering low-paid worker industries.

There is a third change that sits outside of the scope of these new laws, which is an annual review by an independent panel across government support payments, such as for JobSeeker recipients before each federal budget is delivered.