Business urges workplace reform
The business community has demanded Tony Abbott use his ascension to power to make sweeping changes to the industrial relations system and to slash corporate taxes.
In a sign the business sector wants the Prime Minister-elect to vary some of his pre-election commitments, most business groups said Mr Abbott had to go further to boost the economy.
Minerals Council chief executive Mitch Hooke said the council expected the Abbott Government to help "re-fire" the engines of economic reform.
Industrial relations reform was high on the council's agenda.
"There is scope for significant change to the Fair Work Act to boost Australia's productivity and cost competitiveness," he said. "The current industrial laws have increased the power of trade unions and tribunals at the expense of direct relationships between employers and employees in the workplace.
"Limits imposed on choice and flexibility have increased project costs and undercut the industry's capacity to sustain and create more high-wage jobs."
The WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy said the incoming Government could play a vital role in boosting the WA sector.
"A focus on reducing the cost of doing business and increasing exploration activity need to be a priority for the Coalition Government to enable the continued growth of the resources sector in Western Australia," chief executive Reg Howard-Smith said.
The Coalition has pledged to repeal the carbon and mining taxes but it has been careful not to promise more than minor changes in industrial relations.
But Business Council president Tony Shepherd said not only should the Coalition go further on IR but it should use its planned Commission of Audit to re-cast Federal spending.
"The incoming Government must take decisive action to repair the Budget, make our economy more flexible, reduce the cost of doing business, continue to invest in skills and capabilities for a modern workforce and address our infrastructure backlog," he said.
Mr Shepherd said the incoming Senate had a responsibility to act in the national interest and respect Mr Abbott's mandate.
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox was another to back workplace reform while admitting the economy was stronger than most.
"There are many areas where we need to do better. These include: workplace relations; education and training; tax; the high regulatory burden on business; infrastructure; secure, affordable, sustainable energy; and business innovation," he said. "There is much work to be done."
