Statement by AREEA chief executive, Steve Knott
AREEA (Australian Mines and Metals Association)
AUSTRALIA’S national resource industry employer group, AREEA, congratulates the three new appointees and one promoted member of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) announced today by the Turnbull Government.
These four highly credentialed professionals are widely regarded for their legal expertise, business acumen and understanding of the complex range of workplace relations challenges facing Australian employers, employees, trade unions and employer organisations.
They will contribute to strengthening and renewing the FWC and increasing the quality and relevance of its decisions.
Having managed and advised on practical business and workforce outcomes across a range of industries, the new appointees will bolster the FWC with much needed ‘real life’ business experience and practical understanding of workplaces, employers and employees:
- Tanya Cirkovic is highly regarded across the legal and business communities for her expertise in workplace relations law, and the development of her own employment law practice.
- Tony Saunders is a highly regarded employment barrister with a sharp understanding of complex workplace relations matters who regularly represents clients in our highest tribunals and courts.
- Chris Platt is a highly experienced industrial relations professional having held senior positions in the resources and agribusiness industries, as well as representing small business.
- Geoff Bull, a current Fair Work Commissioner, has deservedly been promoted to Deputy President. This reflects the diligence and professionalism he has demonstrated within the FWC, and his experience advising on workplace relations matters across a range of sectors.
Today’s appointments are an essential injection of practical expertise and capacity to work with employers into the FWC after the unashamed stacking of the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd years, which saw 18 of 27 appointments came from narrow pool of union and Labor-affiliated candidates.
They will bring competencies, experience and qualifications that will strengthen the FWC’s reputation and relevance, and support both employment and fair treatment for working Australians.
AREEA and its members look forward to further appointments with proven and well-regarded experience in making critical commercial decisions and an understanding of what it means to run an organisation – from our smallest family businesses to major corporations.
In 2014, AREEA published an extensive analysis of the FWC’s composition and background of appointees under the former Labor Government. This research can be accessed here.
Click here for a PDF of this statement including relevant media contact.
