Peter Dutton declines summit invitation

Peter Dutton will not attend the Albanese government’s Jobs and Skills Summit next month after Jim Chalmers extended a ‘genuine invitation’.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Peter Dutton will not attend the Albanese government’s Jobs and Skills Summit next month after Jim Chalmers extended a “genuine invitation” and as ministers begin consultations with Australians who won’t be able to make the limited capacity event.

The Treasurer wrote to the Opposition Leader on Tuesday with an invitation for him or another Coalition MP to participate in the summit, to be held on September 1 and 2.

“This is about building a bigger, better-trained and more productive workforce which boosts living standards and provides more opportunities for more Australians. I am sure this is an ambition we all share,” Dr Chalmers wrote.

“This is a genuine invitation made in good faith, in the hope that we can put Australia’s common interests ahead of any political interests.”

The Australian understands the Opposition Leader won’t attend. And he rubbished the idea that the government was “genuine” about the event.

“If the government was genuine about the jobs summit, they wouldn’t have dropped the ­Coalition’s invitation to the media before a response could be provided. It demonstrates this is just a stunt,” Mr Dutton said.

“The jobs summit is a talkfest where unions will demand more from this government and they will get it. They will get it because the unions own this government.

“Millions of dollars donated to the Labor Party by unions like the CFMEU means Anthony Albanese will always fall on the side of the union bosses over Australian businesses and workers.”

Opposition MPs have been scathing of the summit, labelling it a “gabfest” and “talkfest with whiteboards and Post-It notes”.

Opposition Treasury spokesman Angus Taylor said if the government was serious about building a consensus in the summit and its resulting white paper, the Coalition and MPs from all parties should have a seat around the table.

Around 100 people will be invited to the summit, when the government will seek a consensus between unions and business on how to fix the “broken” enterprise bargaining system.

Participants will include employers and business groups (30 per cent), employees and unions (30 per cent), community representatives and stakeholders from education, employment and social services sectors (30 per cent) and premiers, chief ministers and local government representatives (10 per cent).

The government says interested crossbenchers will have an opportunity to participate.

Relevant ministers are holding consultations and round­table discussions ahead of the summit in their home states.

According to the Treasury’s website and the letter sent to Mr Dutton, the summit will focus on “keeping unemployment low; boosting productivity and incomes; delivering secure, well-paid jobs and strong, sustainable wages growth; expanding employment opportunities for all Australians, including the most disadvantaged; and addressing skills shortages and getting the skills mix right over the long-term”.

Migration will also be at the forefront as industries warn of dire workforce shortages.

Ensuring women have equal opportunities and equal pay will be a central platform, as will maximising jobs and opportunities in renewable energy.