Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, congratulates the new Labor Shadow Ministry on their appointments and welcomes Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese’s acknowledgement of the important role business plays in the creation of wealth, jobs and opportunities for all Australians.
“We welcome Labor’s commitment to engage constructively with the business community. Our businesses work best when they are confident in bipartisan support for policies that will encourage them to invest, and create jobs and wealth for all Australians,” Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said today.
“In order to build on the strengths of our economy and increase our resilience in the face of economic uncertainty, it is important we improve our productivity and international competitiveness.”
Mr Pearson congratulated Shadow Ministers in portfolios fundamental to Australian business.
“We welcome the appointment of Shadow Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers and Shadow Finance Minister Katy Gallagher to key economic portfolios. We look forward to continuing our engagement with them, in their new roles, to encourage the development of sound economic and fiscal policies.
“As we said throughout the election campaign, Industrial Relations is a vital issue for the private sector, which employs over 80 percent of all workers. As Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, we encourage Tony Burke to engage with business to develop sensible and practical proposals for improvements in industrial relations that encourage collaboration and cooperation between employers and employees.
“We highlighted the importance of small business during the election campaign, and will continue to do so. We welcome Brendan O’Connor’s appointment as Shadow Minister for Employment and Industry, Science, Small and Family Business. We worked with Mr O’Connor in his previous portfolio, and look forward to working with him again to ensure Small Business in particular – which accounts for 98% of all businesses, and employs more than five million people – gets the support it needs.
“We congratulate Senator Tanya Plibersek on her re-appointment as Shadow Minister responsible for education and training. We share an interest in seeing more people in apprenticeships and training, and effective policies to educate and train Australians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
“As Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Mark Butler continues in a critical portfolio for business. We need to get the price of power down and keep it down, while ensuring the reliability of supply and meeting our emissions reduction targets, through a national approach that includes short and long term policy measures that encourage competition and increase investment certainty.
“Shadow Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Catherine King and Shadow Minister for Trade, Minister Madeleine King have important roles in ensuring improved efficiencies at home and improved access to markets overseas.
“We look forward to working constructively with the Opposition to develop and support policies that will make Australia a better place to do business, to benefit all Australians.”
The Australian Chamber is Australia’s largest network of employers, speaking for over 300,000 businesses employing millions of Australians in every sector of the economy, in every corner of Australia. Our campaign gives voice to what small businesses need from the federal government, and our recommends ways to make Australia the best place in the world to do business, so that Australians have the jobs, living standards and opportunities to which they aspire.
