Crikey, check this out: -
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business-sa-calls-for-tough-action/story-e6frea6u-... Quote:Business SA calls for tough action
* Christopher Russell, Businnes Editor
* From: The Advertiser
* August 06, 2010 6:09PM
THE incoming Federal Government should starve the states of GST revenue until they scrap irritating and inefficient fees and taxes which discourage investment and employment, the state's peak employer group says.
Issuing a landmark report today making 40 policy recommendations to federal politicians, Business SA chief executive Peter Vaughan called for bold leadership.
"One of the problems with the election campaign is nobody is talking about a vision," he said.
"Everybody's trying to shrink us into the smallest ball possible.
"Good decisions and leadership are not made out of being frightened.
"There's nothing to be frightened about.
"We should be joyful and glad that we're in Australia and what we in Business SA are proposing though our Top 40 would make Australia the envy of the world."
Both major parties intended to increase the burden on business, a move than would crush employment growth, he said.
The Business SA recommendations cover a range of issues from taxation through water and energy to workplace relations.
These include calls to:
* REVERSE the plan to force employers to pay for an increase in superannuation.
* SCRAP the idea of making employers pay a parental leave levy and either have the Commonwealth fund it as a public good or introduce a HECS-style loan system for workers to pay for it themselves.
* BE decisive about carbon pricing because delaying the debate will drive up electricity prices.
* EMBRACE nuclear energy as a fuel to mitigate against climate-change with gas-fired power stations encouraged in the medium term while nuclear and renewables are built up.
* SEIZE control of the entire Murray Darling Basin from the states and increase the powers of the basin authority but force it to be accountable and transparent.
* REFORM workplace relations to be attuned to the modern world including flexibility to negotiate on conditions such as time for family, study or other outside interests.
"The reason this document is being put forward representing the views of thousands and thousands of businesses is because throughout this whole campaign, irrespective of which political party you turn to, there has been a substantial lack of vision and leadership about the future of this country," Mr Vaughan said.
While the Business SA document originated from a state-based organisation, the recommendations were based on national research and themes.
Business SA felt compelled to act because so much of the campaign had been about personalities instead of policies.
"No one is standing up saying here is the vision, this is what needs to happen, yes, we're a good nation but we can be a great one if we attend to these issues," Mr Vaughan said.
"This is far more important than personalities; this is the future of our country."
The Business SA document will be sent to all major political parties to seek their response to the 40 recommendations.
One of the issues needing vision was population, with Mr Vaughan concerned debate had been hijacked by fear-mongering over asylum seekers.
"We are a rich, First World country and we can be the jewel in the Pacific," he said.
"This is the era for Australia because we're perfectly positioned in the Pacific Basin between India and China.
"This country could have substantially more people as long as we create the nation-building things that go with it."
Business SA supports a population target of at least two million for the state, with a continued strong intake of skilled migrants.
In Business SA's view, migrants such as wine marketer Ava Huang benefit the state.
A Chinese national, Ms Huang studied business administration at Guangdong University of Technology before enrolling at the University of Adelaide where she graduated with masters in wine business and in commerce as well as obtaining a professional certificate in international trade.
She now works for Setanta Wines in the Adelaide Hills.
"Due to cultural and language barriers, there is a huge gap between Australian wineries and Chinese wine buyers," she said.
"The two parties need someone who can understand both the market and language to help them find a perfect match."
While US and European wine markets have slumped, Australian wine exports to China have grown from $21 million in 2005-06 to $140 million in 2009-10.
It is truly scary to read, that this is the mentality of the powerful Big Business Union puppeteers of the Liberal Party...
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