Today's announcement by the Prime Minister of further changes to Australia's workplace relations laws will help equip Australia for its international future.

"The proposed reforms are a sensible step in the right direction as our workplace relations system continues to evolve in response to changing economic forces" says VECCI General Manager - Workplace Relations, Mr David Gregory.

"In essence, the changes are about continuing to develop a framework whereby employers and employees in individual workplaces can develop and establish working arrangements and relationships best suited to the needs of each workplace and its employees, against the background of an appropriate framework of minimum standards.

"They are also proposals that will provide more employment opportunities for Australian employees.

"They continue the process of evolving change that has seen ongoing reforms introduced by both ALP and Coalition Governments over the past two decades, without any of the dire consequences that extreme stakeholders have predicted.

"They must be seen in the context of Australia's increasingly well-paid and well-educated Australian workforce, which has developed as a result of these reforms

"Looking forward, employers and employees will need to work together so that Australia can deal with new challenges and opportunities in international markets on a competitive basis.

"Our workplace relations system will need to encourage greater levels of co-operation, increased levels of flexibility, innovation and productivity, and a focus on performance-based rewards.

"These changes will be accepted and accommodated by the overwhelming majority of employers and employees - nobody would suggest that the current system is flawless and does not need reform.

"Furthermore, they should not be used as an excuse by a minority to push damaging and unwanted industrial campaigns", says Mr Gregory.