Australian Industry Group

17/06/2026

𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗣) | 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 | 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄

Are you a prime or SME in the sector looking to strengthen your workforce pipeline and bring fresh perspectives into your projects?

The 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 — delivered by Australian Industry Group on behalf of the South Australian Government — is offering a valuable opportunity to host high-performing undergraduate interns. There's government grant funding for SMEs and internship scholarships of up to $7500 per intern.

By hosting an intern, you will:

▪️access 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 with relevant technical and industry skills,
▪️support the development of Australia’s 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲,
▪️enhance project capacity with 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗷𝗼𝗯-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 and
▪️build early connections with 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀.

Whether you’re a prime looking to expand capability or an SME seeking extra capacity and innovation, this is a low-risk, high-impact way to grow your team.

To learn more about hosting an intern through the , take a look at the links in Comments. ⬇️

Defence Australia

16/06/2026

𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 | 𝗪𝗙𝗛 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮

Work from home legislation introduced into the Victorian Parliament today is bad news for the state's economy.

Australian Industry Group is already hearing this directly from industry.

"Even today, a large European company indicated this would influence its investment decisions within Australia," our State Head of Victoria, Tim Piper, said.

"The legislation is unnecessary and burdensome and will create significant uncertainty for both employers and employees.

"It risks fuelling workplace disputes over eligibility, creating a divided workforce of 'haves and have-nots' and inundating the Equal Opportunity Commission with complaints, without delivering meaningful benefits to industry.

"It's another reason for investors to look beyond Victoria. Premiers in other states are already rubbing their hands together. You can see and hear it."

Mr Piper has spoken out against the legislation since it was proposed in March, warning of the impact on the Victorian economy and the burden on business.

Let us know how you'll be impacted. Members' views shape our advocacy. Link in Comments. ⬇️

15/06/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 | 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗚𝗧 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗳𝘂𝗹

Our calls for the Federal Government to amend its capital gains tax proposals were shared widely in the media today.

We've consulted broadly with our members on how the proposed changes will practically impact their businesses.

They have unanimously reported the changes will chill investment and jobs and harm our reputation as a safe place to invest international capital.

"Many indicate they are now reconsidering planned investments and/or restructuring of their existing arrangements due to uncertainty about future tax obligations," our Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said.

"The advice from Australian business could not be clearer.

"The Federal Budget's capital gains tax proposals as they currently stand will do real damage to business confidence, investment and aspiration and will also significantly damage Australia's reputation as a welcoming centre for international capital.

"If the Government unwisely chooses to continue down its path, regardless of the advice from businesses large and small across the economy, we have offered five simple changes that would make the Government's proposals less harmful to investment."

To view our 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, click on the link in the Comments section. ⬇️

Australian Industry Group. All for business.

12/06/2026

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗿𝗮𝗽-𝘂𝗽 | 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Keen to include Indigenous businesses in your supply chains?

Approach the process with an open mind, and don’t leave it until the last minute, members were told at an Australian Industry Group webinar to mark National Reconciliation Week (NRW) last week.

Too often, Indigenous engagement is an afterthought, and procurement teams are quick to box First Nation suppliers into the SME space or consider them only for basic tasks or service offerings.

“This year’s NRW theme All In means using your purchasing power to grow Indigenous economic participation,” webinar panellist Deb Barwick, of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, said.

“When we include Indigenous businesses in our supply chains, we create jobs and strengthen our communities. Your procurement and partnerships can create measurable outcomes.”

The webinar, hosted by Vivienne Filling, explored:

▪️equitable procurement,
▪️why it matters and
▪️the practical steps you can take to create more meaningful opportunities and outcomes for First Nations businesses.

Find out more in our webinar wrap-up. Link in Comments. ⬇️

Reconciliation Australia

11/06/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 $𝟭𝟭𝟮.𝟲𝗺 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮

We're delighted to congratulate Mars, Incorporated on the opening of its new $112.6million pet food factory in Wodonga — Australia's largest cat food kitchen.

Our Head of Victoria, Tim Piper, joined Mars and government leaders at the official opening today.

The new facility will create more than 67 new jobs and 100 additional indirect jobs in the region.

Mr Piper said: "The technology is state of the art, and it’s quite something to think Wodonga is leading the world in this area.

"The support of the Mars family, Mars management and Mars associates is very important to the wellbeing of regional Victoria.

"This investment is a confidence boost for the entire region."

It's good news for the 5.3 million pet cats in Australia, too. 🐈

Michaela Settle MP

11/06/2026

𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 | 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀, 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

How do we build the workforce needed to deliver Australia’s manufacturing ambitions — across the economy, defence and energy security?

play a vital role, Australian Industry Group's Caroline Smith said in a panel discussion part of the National Manufacturing Workforce Forum, hosted by Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance in Canberra this week.

During the discussion, about strengthening the skills pipeline that manufacturing needs, Dr Smith also highlighted:

▪️the current trajectory of commencements in manufacturing and related trades is concerning,
▪️the cost and complexity of employing apprentices is increasing and
▪️recent changes to employer incentives risk adding further pressure.

To learn more about our research and advocacy, read our report: 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁.

Link in Comments. ⬇️

11/06/2026

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗛𝗥 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 | '𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹' — 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻

End-of-year reviews are here, and they can be emotional.

Few moments are tougher than when an employee walks in confident about their performance and you see it differently.

Handled well, these conversations create clarity and growth.

Handled poorly, they can erode trust and lead to disengagement.

In this new blog post, Australian Industry Group Georgina Pacor explores:

▪️common scenarios where expectations don’t align
▪️why these gaps happen and
▪️practical, in-the-moment tips for leaders to handle the conversation with confidence and care.

If you're leading performance discussions, this is a must-read.

When performance reviews don’t match expectations, conversations can quickly become uncomfortable. This post explores why these gaps happen and how leaders can respond with clarity, confidence and practical examples that keep discussions constructive.

10/06/2026

𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 | 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

How do we support the rapid growth of data centres while ensuring the broader economy benefits?

Addressing delegates at Informa's Australian Data Centres Power & Water Summit in Sydney today, Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox set out what’s at stake and why the next few years matter so much.

"The transformation of Australia's digital and energy infrastructure is not a forecast; it's happening right now," Mr Willox said.

"We are standing at the intersection of a massive economic opportunity and hard infrastructure constraints that demand real answers."

With demand accelerating, the decisions made in the next three to five years will shape Australia’s economic landscape for decades.

Australian Industry Group supports the growth of data centres but wants them built well and the broader economy to benefit, too.

"Late last year, we wrote to energy ministers expressing both our support for data centres and our concern that energy supply growth might fail to keep up with demand," Mr Willox said.

"We proposed urgent work on three fronts to lower that risk. Today, we are encouraged to see genuine progress on all three."

Read the full speech using the link in Comments. ⬇️

09/06/2026

𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 | 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝟭𝟬 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲

What skills and training priorities emerged from last month's Federal Budget?

What do they mean for industry, employers and the education and training sector?

Join Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles MP and Australian Industry Group's Caroline Smith to find out what's changing — and what it means for you.

The discussion will explore a range of issues relevant to the Minister's portfolio, informed by questions submitted by the audience.

Secure your spot now using the link in the Comments section. ⬇️

04/06/2026

Australia’s sector came together for 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 at the MCG this week.

It’s the 30th anniversary of the industry’s flagship annual event, proudly presented by Australian Industry Group, with the support of our sponsors including principal sponsor Manildra Group | Sunshine Sugar.

Such a great day! 🍭🍬🍫