In October 2012 Minister Shorten announced funding of $12 million over four years for the establishment of the new Centre.
“Ensuring that Australian jobs and workplaces of the 2020s and 2030s continue to lift productivity and lead innovatively is a key priority for the Gillard Government,” Mr Shorten said.
“Today the Advisory Group met for the first time, bringing together key leaders of industry and government, the union movement and academia to work collaboratively towards enhancing management and leadership capability in Australian workplaces, including small and medium enterprises.
“I am pleased to announce today that an open selection process for a provider for the Centre is expected to commence in mid-December 2012.
“In collaboration with industry, the Centre will encourage higher performing, innovative workplaces and stronger leadership capability in Australian workplaces, to boost productivity and ensure Australian workers truly have quality jobs. Engaging younger people in workplace leadership is a particular priority.
"The Centre will be a flagship initiative of this Government and will focus in a very distinct and new way on leadership as it happens at the enterprise level every day.
“It was very useful to listen to eminent industry leaders today to discuss the challenges facing Australian workplaces now and into the future, and how the Centre will be able to address these challenges.
“We discussed expanding Australia’s growth potential, engaging young people and maximising the productive capacity of Australian enterprises.
The Centre will be independent from government and will promote a shared approach to lifting the performance of Australian workplaces and the quality of jobs.
“Good leaders and management are crucial to workplace productivity,” Mr Shorten said.
“This Centre will help to build collaborative high-value, high-performance workplaces that innovate and adapt to change, promote and support a culture of engagement, respect and fairness, and create good jobs.
“The Centre is not intended to be another training company,” Mr Shorten said.
The members of the Advisory Group are:
- Mr Richard Goyder –Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Wesfarmers Limited
- Mr John Borghetti – Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Australia Holdings
- Ms Ged Kearney – President, Australian Council of Trade Unions
- Ms Catriona Noble – Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s Australia
- Mr Bill Kelty AC – Company Director (and former ACTU Secretary)
- Professor Amanda Sinclair – Foundation Professor Management Diversity & Change, Melbourne Business School
- Ms Pip Marlow – Managing Director, Microsoft Australia
- Mr Ray Horsburgh AM – Chairman, TOLL Holdings Limited
- Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM – Secretary, Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relation
- Mr Lindsay Fox AC – Founder, LinFox
Mr Shorten’s Media Contact: Sam Casey — 0421 697 660
