On Monday, the Federal Government tabled Tranche 3 of its controversial workplace relations reforms, the Closing the Loopholes Bill.

The ARA released a media statement opposing the Bill, which seeks to implement complex regulations without any real productivity benefit.

The Government should be simplifying the workplace relations system, not complicating it further. The ARA will work with the Senate Crossbench to advocate for a version of the Bill that drives productivity, create jobs and increase workforce participation. We will be coordinating an ongoing series of member briefings and updates around this Bill.

Yesterday, in welcome news for Australian homeowners and the retail sector, the Reserve Bank of Australia held the cash rate at 4.1% for a third consecutive month.

It comes after the ABS last week revealed the monthly consumer price index (CPI) rose 4.9% in the year to July, down from 5.4% the previous month and under market forecasts of 5.2%.

As we gear up for the all-important Christmas trading period, September’s monetary decision will help restore some confidence and provides cautious optimism that interest rates may have peaked.

The National Retail Federation’s Big Show is an iconic event in retail calendars around the world – and the ARA will next year have the privilege of partnering with the NRF to support the inaugural event Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific in Singapore in June. Details below.