Business Council of Australia

Allegations of union corruption are serious and it is important that an independent inquiry is established to get to the root of the problem. Fixing the construction sector is paramount if we want to see a successful rollout of energy transition projects through the Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda. We need assurances that the Future Made in Australia legislation does not pave the way for union mandated agreements, which could limit competition and potentially increase costs. Australia’s energy transition needs to incentivise private sector funding and ensure we can win investment and build projects that are commercially viable.

The Business Council of Australia and Supply Nation have signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding to build a stronger partnership to increase the economic prosperity of Indigenous Australians. Lifting the economic participation of Indigenous Australians is a national priority and the BCA and Supply Nation believe programs like Raising the Bar are essential in creating greater opportunities. The signing of the updated MoU after five-years of partnership comes as procurement spending through Raising the Bar exceeded the $3 billion target, 12 months ahead of schedule. Raising the Bar was designed to assist BCA members in increasing their procurement of goods and services from Indigenous suppliers. It is a practical and deliverable model for supporting Indigenous businesses to expand, innovate and increase employment opportunities. This updated MoU will have a greater focus on advocacy efforts, developing better capability for procurement and looking at potential international trade and investment for Indigenous businesses. The BCA and Supply Nation remain committed to supporting greater opportunity for Indigenous Australians, including supporting and empowering businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders to excel.

The Committee for Adelaide is pleased to again be partnering with the Business Council of Australia for the Strong Australia Adelaide Business Luncheon and Panel Conversation, to hear from leading local and national speakers, on Friday 16 August. The event will include a panel moderated by Sky News Australia's Political Reporter and Anchor of AM Agenda, laura jayes, and include The Premier of South Australia, the Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Rachel Yangoyan, Chief Executive Officer, QantasLink, Bran Black, Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia and Sam Dighton, Chief Executive, Committee for Adelaide. Be part of the conversation as our panel explores the economic opportunities and challenges ahead for South Australia, including the State Prosperity Project, regional connectivity, boosting productivity and innovation, building our future workforce, ensuring vibrant communities and supporting continued growth of the state’s economy. Tickets now on sale: https://lnkd.in/gE45fwEz Strong Australia Network #adelaide #southaustralia #strongaustralianetwork #economy #futureworkforce #productivity #regions #community

The allegations of criminal conduct and unlawful industrial behaviour within the CFMEU are serious and a transparent investigation with public accountability is required to see how systemic the issue is across the union. Given taxpayer funds are involved, the Business Council believes the Federal Government needs to launch a judicial investigation which has the ability to compel witnesses and documents to reveal the full extent of alleged corruption. Union officials should be investigated and front a public inquiry when we’re talking about alleged unethical and corrupt criminal activity. 

I think we’ve got to stop fishing for red herrings and start fixing the real issues facing our nation. We are not properly dealing with some of the real problems in Australia—cost of living, housing, investment—because we keep falling for the oldest trap in the political playbook…playing the blame game.   I unpicked how we keep falling into this trap, and some of the things I think we need to do about it, in the The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age. You can read my full opinion piece here. https://bit.ly/4bAPs2g

NAIDOC week is a time to come together and celebrate our First Nations communities.   The BCA and our members remain committed to the economic advancement of Indigenous Australians.   This is an important week to recognise and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.   The business community will continue supporting Indigenous businesses, enriching our thriving nation and boosting the economy to benefit all Australians.   You can read more here: https://www.naidoc.org.au/ https://lnkd.in/gNaMWiM

Traditionally Australia has punched above its weight when it comes to international connectivity, however in a world of competitive international trade and investment we need to ensure we don't become complacent. In an opinion piece in The Australian, I reiterate the important role the business community - together with organisations such as the Business Council of Australia - can play in strengthening Australia's presence on the world stage. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/gwg8AJ8C

The BCA has brought together our NSW university members to feed into the Australian Government’s consultation on the new economic roadmap for India.   Our university members have a significant footprint in India through partnerships, research collaborations, dual-degrees, campus establishment and student recruitment.   The BCA believes the cap on international students, proposed by the Australian Government, will impact the economy and not fix our housing supply shortage. We support greater engagement by Australia’s tertiary and vocational institutions in countries like India.   Our members The University of Sydney, UNSW, Western Sydney University, University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University are critical to expanding our education footprint in India. Their voices are being heard by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as they update the India Economic Strategy to strengthen trade and investment outcomes between the two nations.

International students accounted for almost a quarter of all GDP growth over the year to March 2024, the sector was worth $48 billion in 2023 and employed over 200,000 people.   Amid proposals to cut the number of students coming to Australia, calm heads must prevail so we don’t cannibalise one of our long-term national advantages for short-term benefit.   We face an uncomfortable truth: without migration in recent years, we would be in a real-terms recession.   I know people are doing it really tough right now, with a shortage of housing adding real and sustained pressure on families. However, International students are the red herring of the housing debate, diverting our attention from the real discussion on how we must approve and build more homes, and particularly on addressing state and territory planning bottlenecks.   Slashing foreign student numbers would be economic self-harm.   Read more in my opinion article published in The Australian Financial Review: https://bit.ly/4cliS5w