Victoria’s peak employer group VECCI congratulates Julia Gillard on her retaining the Prime Ministership by forming a minority Government with the support of independent MPs, and commends Tony Abbott on an energetic and well-fought campaign.

VECCI’s Acting CEO Denis James said that “strong, clear and uncompromising” business leadership was needed to keep both Government and Opposition on the “straight and narrow” during the election campaign, and will be needed during this Parliament.

“From now, it is important that the new ALP Government is not hostage to minority interests, particularly those of a Greens Party or militant trade union variety”, says Mr James.

“The new Government does not have a mandate to pursue a more radical industrial relations agenda, as demanded by the ACTU – industrial relations was not a campaign issue by any stretch. 

“The challenge will be to make the Fair Work Act operate more effectively for the average employee and employer and the nation as a whole.

“We seek a Government that has learnt from the mistakes of its first term and will knuckle down to pay off debt, balance the Budget, resume microeconomic reform, face up to our infrastructure and human capital challenges and not pander to irrational fears about immigration and population growth”, says Mr James.

Contact: VECCI Communications Adviser

Lizzie Trethewey 03 8662 5310 / 0423 883 945 / ltrethewey@vecci.org.au