Business slams 'lack of focus'
Describing the next six months as "critical" for Australia, the Business Council of Australia has slammed the lack of political focus on creating jobs, raising living standards and securing long-term prosperity.
"In Australia, it's a choice, a choice that no one seems intent to be making at the moment," the council's president, Tony Shepherd, told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
Representing the chief executives of Australia's top 100 companies, he called for politicians to sacrifice their jobs for the national interest.
"The test of reforms for us is whether it advances national prosperity over the long term, not whether it advances the attainment or retention of power," he said.
But the government has hit back at the accusations of short-termism and the council's calls for "practical" reform to its labour laws. "What we've always done in workplace relations, and what we will continue to do, is make sure that the pendulum on industrial relations is right in the middle," Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.
And the minister in charge of employment and superannuation, Bill Shorten, called on the council to support Labor's plans to establish an independent super umpire, the Council of Superannuation Custodians. Mr Shorten also pointed to Labor's increase in the superannuation guarantee and the removal of the 15 per cent contribution tax on 3.6 million low-income earners as "long-term, future-focused settings".
But Mr Shepherd said that Australia's high costs, poor productivity and flat confidence needed solutions.
"How many major projects have to fail or be deferred?" he asked. "How many Australian businesses have to shut down? How many Australians have to lose their jobs? How many budget deficits are we going to run ... before we take action?"
On global warming, Mr Shepherd said both political parties needed to accept the cheapest way to encourage the reduction of greenhouse emissions.
"Nuclear, gas and clean coal should all be on the table - not excluded on ideological grounds," he said.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The Business Council, through president Tony Shepherd, urged that nuclear power should be back on Australia’s national agenda. He said nuclear, along with gas and clean coal, should be considered as part of the cheapest ways to reduce greenhouse emissions and should not be excluded on ideological grounds.
Tony Shepherd told the National Press Club the next six months are critical and slammed the lack of political focus on creating jobs, raising living standards and securing long‑term prosperity. He argued reforms should be judged on whether they advance national prosperity over the long term, not on short‑term political gain.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard rejected the short‑termism accusation, saying workplace relations policy will stay balanced. Employment and superannuation minister Bill Shorten urged the council to back Labor’s plans for an independent super umpire and pointed to Labor’s recent superannuation measures as long‑term settings.
The article notes Labor is proposing an independent super umpire called the Council of Superannuation Custodians, has increased the superannuation guarantee, and removed the 15% contribution tax for about 3.6 million low‑income earners—measures Bill Shorten described as long‑term, future‑focused settings.
Shepherd warned about Australia’s high costs, poor productivity and flat business confidence. He asked how many major projects will fail or be deferred, how many businesses will close, how many jobs will be lost and how many budget deficits will be run before action is taken—signals investors should monitor.
The council said both major parties should accept the cheapest ways to encourage greenhouse emissions reductions. Shepherd specifically argued for keeping nuclear, gas and clean coal on the table rather than excluding options for ideological reasons.
Yes. The council urged that women should occupy 50% of executive positions, a corporate leadership and diversity recommendation investors may want to watch as it can affect governance and long‑term company performance.
The council recommended making the study of Asian languages compulsory in schools, a proposal aimed at improving workforce skills and Australia’s engagement with Asian markets—factors that can influence national competitiveness and investment opportunities.
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