Australia: The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business organisation, has called for an integrated ten-point programme of economic reform fostering growth and jobs to become the centrepiece of the federal election campaign.
ACCI’s plan is based on findings of a comprehensive Pre-Election Survey of 1,186 business owners conducted last month, which is also released .
64% of businesses nominated the high level of current government spending as their top concern. Looking ahead 42% of businesses said overall sound economic management should be the priority for the next Australian Government. It’s now rated more important than during the last two elections.
“Australia’s national interest is best served by political leaders putting the economy before polldriven focus groups and showing leadership on how future opportunities for prosperity can be seized.”
“Economic strength and productivity through tax and infrastructure reform, coupled with responsible management of Commonwealth finances, are key features of ACCI’s plan.”
“ACCI’s reform agenda contrasts to the tone of political debate this week, with its negative focus on static population and no-change workplace policies that concede ground to fear over fact.
“Getting a focus back to growth, jobs, risk and reward, the things that made our nation strong,
cannot come too soon.”
ACCI’s General Council, comprising the Presidents and Chief Executives of Australia’s nine leading State and Territory Chambers of Commerce and twenty-five Industry Associations, met in Adelaide last Friday and finalised this ten-point Jobs and Growth Reform Agenda.
“Ours is not an Agenda only for business people. It’s a reform plan for the whole economy. Policies that support growth and jobs in the private sector benefit the entire community.” Mr. Anderson said.
“Business people responsible for creating jobs are saying, through this survey, that the focus of the campaign needs to get back to economic management and reform. The political parties need to respond, and respond quickly” Mr. Anderson said.
Source: http://www.acci.asn.au/text_files/media_releases/2010/097-10.pdf
