BCA to deliver stern message on nation's future
In a speech, the council will label planning for the decades ahead as "somewhere between half-hearted and non-existent".
"In many countries, creating jobs, raising living standards and securing long-term prosperity is a challenge. In Australia, it's a choice," BCA president Tony Shepherd will tell the National Press Club.
He will also call for Australia to become a top-five country for income per capita and in the World Economic Forum's global competitiveness index.
He also wants more than 90 per cent of young people to complete year 12 or equivalent, and for all Australians to have access to a quality health system.
Moreover, the country ought to tackle entrenched disadvantage and close the opportunity gaps between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.
BCA members are chief executives of the largest companies, including Mike Smith of ANZ, Origin Energy's Grant King and Telstra chief David Thodey.
The speech will coincide with the launch of full-page ads by the council, seeking to inspire leaders to "focus on long-term prosperity of all Australians - not just the next six months".
The business council will also shortly release a report that identifies nine areas for reform, including tax and regulation, infrastructure, energy, education and foreign investment.
The comments follow heated political debate on the superannuation tax that that mildly affected high-income earners, and a controversial government crackdown on foreign workers on 457 visas.
It was reported last week that Mr Shepherd, a member of the Prime Minster's Business Advisory Forum, told a gathering of chief executives: "I believe the upcoming budget will see more ad hoc, poorly thought through attacks on business that are going to destroy investment, confidence and jobs. More robbing Peter to pay Paul and more promises of things that can't be delivered."
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The BCA is urging leaders to prioritise long-term planning and a clear national vision instead of short-term complacency. In a National Press Club speech, president Tony Shepherd called for policies that aim at decades-ahead outcomes such as stronger competitiveness, higher living standards and sustained job creation.
Tony Shepherd said Australia should aim to be a top-five country for income per capita and climb the World Economic Forum's global competitiveness rankings. He also flagged targets like more than 90% of young people completing year 12 (or equivalent) and universal access to a quality health system.
The article notes that BCA members include chief executives from some of Australia's largest companies, specifically naming Mike Smith of ANZ, Grant King of Origin Energy and David Thodey of Telstra.
The BCA will shortly release a report identifying nine areas for reform. The article mentions key topics including tax and regulation, infrastructure, energy, education and foreign investment — all policy areas that can influence business conditions and investment climates.
Alongside Tony Shepherd's speech at the National Press Club, the BCA is launching full-page advertisements to push the message that leaders should focus on long-term prosperity for all Australians. They will also publish a detailed report outlining recommended reforms.
The article references heated political debate over a superannuation tax change that mildly affected high-income earners and a government crackdown on foreign workers holding 457 visas. These policy discussions were mentioned as context for the BCA's call for steadier long-term planning.
Shepherd warned that the upcoming budget could include ad hoc, poorly thought-through measures he believes would hurt business, destroy investment, reduce confidence and cost jobs. He described such moves as 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' and making promises that can't be delivered.
The BCA represents leaders of Australia's biggest companies and is pushing for reforms across tax, regulation, infrastructure, energy, education and foreign investment. Those policy areas shape the business environment and can influence economic growth, corporate performance and investment opportunities over time.
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