The CFMEU has welcomed the comments of Productivity Commission chairman Gary Banks on industrial relations and productivity for finally and clearly exposing the Commission as a taxpayer-funded right-wing think tank.

“The comments from Gary Banks reported today make it clear that he would be better employed on the payroll of the Institute of Public Affairs than by the people of Australia,” said Michael O’Connor, National Secretary of the CFMEU.“In the same week that Treasury has highlighted poor management as being responsible for as much as an 8% gap in Australia’s productivity performance compared with our key competitors, Banks sees fit to attack industrial regulations that protect workers.

“No mention from him about poor management, innovation, collaborative workplaces or executive and director pay that is so extravagant shareholders are revolting and putting hundreds of companies on notice under the two-strikes rule.

“The reality is that real wages growth and productivity growth are comparable. It is not workers who are skimming the cream from the economy.

“The CFMEU supports productivity growth. We support growing the pie and growing the share for everyone.

“But we won’t support code for class war, for undermining the industrial relations system that protects workers from lazy or unscrupulous employers looking for a quick buck at workers’ expense.

“And we don’t support taxpayers funding huge salaries and expenses for so-called ‘independent’ commissioners who prosecute an ideological right-wing agenda that falls outside the remit given them by the Government.

“The Productivity Commission, under its own Act, should be broad based and include experienced people from across the community including industry, environment and social welfare. You would expect this would encourage a diversity of views and a contest of ideas.

“Instead we see the sort of dogmatic right-wing tub-thumping from the chair that you would expect from paid-up big business spin doctors or the Opposition spokesperson for WorkChoices” said Mr O’Connor.

“It is high time the Government reviewed the operation and make-up of the Productivity Commission to ensure it fulfills its role in a truly balanced and independent fashion in accordance with its Act.”

Further comment: Michael O’Connor 0418 550 831