Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA welcomes today’s appointment of Michaelia Cash as Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations in the revamped Morrison Ministry.
AMMA has enjoyed a close and constructive working relationship with Senator Cash for many years, including in her previous roles as Minister for Employment and Minister for Women from 2015 to 2017.
“As Minister for Women, Minister Cash actively engaged with the activities and programs of AMMA’s industry leading national diversity and inclusion initiative, the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA),” said Steve Knott AM, AMMA Chief Executive.
“She was an outstanding Minister for Employment, which included industrial relations responsibilities until 2017, navigating key reforms through the parliament such as the reinstatement of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
“Minister Cash also actively appointed outstanding women into new Fair Work Commission roles to assist in redressing its gaping gender imbalance.”
Mr Knott said Senator Cash has proven to be one of the most effective ministers in the Coalition Government for quite some time – again proven earlier this month as Acting IR Minister when securing the passage of crucial casual employment amendments to the Fair Work Act.
“The certainty and clarity around casual employment and dealing with the enormous $39 billion contingent liability on small, medium and large business was widely viewed as the most pressing part of the Government’s IR Reform Bill,” he said.
“Prior to the amendments, the inability for employers to offset claims for back-paid leave entitlements with casual loading already paid, was an enormous threat to the economy and would have sent employers of all sizes to the wall.”
AMMA also thanks Christian Porter for his service as Attorney General and Minister for Industrial Relations and extends congratulations on his new role as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology.
"AMMA especially thanks Minister Porter for leading the Government’s IR Working Groups in 2020, delivering critical JobKeeper workplace flexibility to soften the blow of COVID-19 and his work in securing important casual employment reforms,” Mr Knott said.
