Article by Danielle Le Messurier courtesy of the West Australian.
Mining boss blasts ‘sheltered‘ Albo Byrnecut Group executive chairman Steve Coughlan has blasted the Albanese Government’s workplace relations reforms, arguing it needs to “get out in the real world”.
The head of the underground mining contractor described the Government’s proposal to guarantee labour hire workers “same job, same pay” as those employed directly as “ridiculous”, further pointing to signs of a looming showdown between Labor and some of the country’s biggest industries.
Mr Coughlan’s comments followed mining giant BHP warning the policy could cost it up to $1.3 billion a year and threaten jobs if rushed through Parliament. The labour hire laws have also been criticised by the Minerals Council of Australia, Master Builders Australia and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Government has argued they are designed to crack down on companies exploiting labour hire workers to undercut bargained wages and conditions set out in enterprise agreements.
However, business groups are concerned the legislation risks exacerbating workforce shortages while adding to inflationary pressures and damaging international competitiveness.
Mr Coughlan accused Anthony Albanese and his advisers of having lived a “sheltered existence” at a WA Mining Club lunch on Friday.
“Get out in the real world,” he said when asked his opinion on same job, same pay.
“If I’m in the Eagles, I kick the football the same as them, I should get the same money — it doesn’t work like that. The world doesn’t work like that.
“If you spent all the money around here (on) everyone today, in 20 years time, it’d end up back with the people who know what they’re doing — same logic.”
The MCA — whose members include BHP and Rio Tinto — in its submission to the Government’s proposal said it was “essential that any new form of regulation does not discriminate against one form of work by imposing unfair restrictions”.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has said the details of the same job, same pay policy have not yet been finalised.
The Federal Government has been seeking feedback on the industrial relations laws, which it plans to legislate later this year.
Mr Coughlan also said the Government must address its “expensive, long-winded and bureaucratic visa process”. He said the Perth-headquartered Byrnecut — which has mining contracts in Australia, the US, Africa, Canada and Saudi Arabia — wanted to be able to “FIFO” highly trained international workers into the country, but the process was too complicated and expensive.
This also applies to the push to value-add to resources instead of shipping them offshore as raw materials, Mr Coughlan said, which industry has encouraged as the Government reviews its critical minerals strategy.
“We need to get rid of the green tape, the red tape and overall government bureaucracy. Let’s be honest here, it’s bulls..t,” he said.