Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 9 August 2012 –

(1) In relation to industrial disputation during the 2011 12 financial year:

(a) what was the annual cost to the economy; and

(b) what was the impact on Australia's productivity.

(2) Does the Treasurer acknowledge that there has been an increase in industrial action; if so, has the Treasurer expressed concerns to either the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations or the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations about this increase or the impact of industrial disputation on the economy.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Treasurer has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) (a) Treasury has not calculated this.

(b) Treasury has not calculated this.

(2) No. Under Fair Work, days lost to industrial disputes are on average about one third of the average level since 1985 (the earliest year comparable ABS data is available).