About Dr Jensen - Vision and Issues

Industrial Relations

Industrial relations reform is critical to maintain the good economic performance of Australia. People have asked me why this is necessary, given our strong current economic position. The simple fact is that if the rest of the world stood still, we would probably not need to reform (even though reform would still benefit Australia).

A useful analogy is to liken IR reform to a rowing boat in a river. Stop rowing and you do not stand still, you move backwards. We need to free up the workplace, and make it more flexible. “Workers” should remember that employers (especially in small business) are people as well and really are not out to throw people on the rubbish heap. It is not to their benefit in an economic sense either! Why get rid of a good worker, simply to replace them with an unknown quantity that needs training?