ALP National Conference

BCA comments regarding its participation as an observer at the ALP’s 14th National Conference.

Business Council of Australia deputy chief executive Melinda Cilento will be one of the paying observers at the conference and is urging sweeping reforms to rejuvenate an economy which is becoming a victim of its own success. Tax, climate change, federal–state relations and the hot issue of industrial relations “are all big priorities for us”.

From ‘Labor Pains for Business’ by John Ferguson, Herald Sun, 21 April 2007, p. 89.  

BCA spokesman Mark Triffitt said yesterday that there was an ongoing dialogue between the BCA and the ALP over its policy on several key issues – including the most sensitive area of workplace relations ... 

“... while we don’t agree (with the ALP) on some fundamental issues around workplace reform there is some common agreement on areas such as education. We have made some strong points on where we think their policy is inappropriate.” He said the BCA had concerns with the ALP's workplace relations policy as outlined this week, but recognised that “at the same time, the door is open”. 

From ‘Captains of Industry Warm up to Labor’s Pitch for Leadership Change’ by Glenda Korporaal, The Australian, 21 April 2007, p. 33.