IR tops industry's poll wishlist: Ai Group

Nearly a quarter of manufacturers, services and construction business put industrial relations as the top priority for the next government.

The federal election should not be an excuse to put necessary industrial relations changes in the too hard basket, a leading business group says.

A pre-election survey of businesses by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) said industrial relations topped the priority list of the government.

Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox said the result reinforced the shortcomings of the current system and would send a message to political parties changes must be made to support productivity and growth.

"The federal election should not be an excuse to put the necessary changes to the Fair Work Act in the `too hard basket'," he said in a statement on Monday.

Almost a quarter (or 23.1 per cent) of 330 businesses from the manufacturing, services and construction sectors nominated the need for changes to the Fair Work Act.

The Fair Work Act review panel last year made some recommendations - such as increasing the power and entitlements of unions and employees.

"This needs to be addressed in the next term of Government by whichever political party wins the federal election, Mr Willox said.


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