UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL DELIVERED. F78/ 251
PRIMEUSTRMINIA T
FOR PRESS 3 DECEMBER 1978
ELECTORATE TALK
Since coming to office, your Government has followed policies
consistently designed to sustain economic growth and thus
provide emoloyment opportunities.
There is no easy way. We have not been seduced by demands for
politically expedient, short-term palliatives. Such policies
would do no more than fuel the fires of inflation without
curing the Problem.
Our policies are long-term ones that will put Australian
industry and commerce once more back on a sound base, and
from that base will come a resurgence of job opportunities.
It won't happen overnight, but already there are encouraging
signs: inflation is down substantially, interest rates are
coming down, investment is picking up, order books are filling
up, and once more some major Australian companies are gearing
up their export divisions.
Despite the progress we have made there is still much to be
done. The Government is not sitting idly by waiting for a
magic solution. Over the past few days we have taken major
new steps to up-date our policies, to meet the changing needs
of our timze.
The creation of the new Commonwealth Department of Employment
and Youth Affairs is a posi tive example of the great importance
your Government places on giving attention to employment,
particularly employment opportunities for young people.
More recently, we have taken initiatives to underline the
GovernmentC's determination to gain every possible benefit
from technical innovation, both here and overseas, and acquire
a better understanding of the labour market.
Your Government has decided to set up a Committee of Inquiry
to examine, report and make recommendations on the process
of technological change in Australian industry. The Union
Movement will have representation on the Inquiry. / 2
-2
Much work in the field of technological change the so-called
' computer revolution' has been pioneered by the Depart-ment
of Productivity, established by the Government just on two
years ago. However, the new Inqh~ iry will place emphasis on
maxi-mising the economic and social benefits of the technological
revolution and minimising any adverse consequences.
The second initiative will involve the Government in joining
with industry and the unions in a wide ranging study of labour
market problems posed by such things as penalty rates, weekend
and part-time work, juniors, job-sharing and trade skills.
This Tnauiry, agreed to by the National Labour Consultative
Corp. mittee, will be headed by the Chairman of the State Electricity
Commission of Victoria, Mr Trethowan.
Both -moves demonstrate the Government's real concern for problems
forced on an established workforce by a changing technology.
But this is not a job for the Commonwealth, industry unions.
The States too have an important role to play. I have therefore
written to the Premiers, asking them to co-operate in a review
of all areas of State responsibility which may contribute to
unemployment or which may reveal scope for encouraging employment.
It may well be that some State legislative or institutional
arrangements are having an adverse effect on employment. For
example, there are inconsistencies between States in such matters
as standards and regulations. This is particularly true in the
construction industry, where undoubtedly it has an adverse
effect on employment opportunities.
There is also no doubt that some State taxes and charges provide
a financial burden on industry and discourage increased job
opportunities. In the same general area, employment conditions
which result in increased costs for industry, such as high
standards of long service leave, also restrict employment
opportunities. I have asked the State Premiers to give serious consideration.
to these questions, and I believe that considerable benefits
for employment could flow fram such an examination.