Australia’s Reform Opportunity

The BCA views the 2007 general election as an opportunity to see a reform programme crystallised, while calling upon both parties to eschew pork barrelling. This is a noble objective but Chaney buttressed his case by arguing persuasively that despite some 15 years of economic reform, there is never an option that may be classified as standing still.

Chaney observed: “The fast-changing nature of the global economy means our advantage can more easily be eroded and our living standards quickly slip behind. Standing still is not an option – the finishing line of reform is never reached, the debate is not about whether we should continue the reform journey, it's about how we do it and at what speed.”

Reference to the BCA's reform standards for the 2007 federal election in op-ed titled ‘Business In Poll Position’ by Stephen Loosley, The New Zealand Herald, 30 April 2007, p. K15.