Opinion Editorials & Articles
A selection of commentary
The BCA regularly contributes opinion editorials and commentary to newspapers around the country, highlighting BCA positions on key policy areas and reaction to policy developments. For copies of earlier articles, visit the News Room archive.
We Need to Talk about Refurbishing All Our Safety Nets
In looking at the adequacy of the Newstart Allowance, we need to look at reform that will afford Australia true wealth in terms of a sustainable, meaningful social safety net.
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Tough Talk Needed to Plan Equal Future for All
Creating true wealth is a shared responsibility that has a shared benefit.
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Chasing the Fast Boat to Asia
Lifting productivity and competitiveness will be the key to making the most of our opportunities within Asia.
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Remove Racism of a Previous Era from the Heart of our Constitution
Full and equal recognition of Indigenous Australians our Constitution is essential, argues Graham Bradley in The Australian.
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Opportunity Is Measure of True Wealth
Unless our industries and businesses are prosperous, thriving and competitive, we cannot create national wealth and we certainly cannot use or share something we do not have.
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Four Ways in Which the Fair Work Act Is Reducing Productivity
The Fair Work Act is turning out to be another example of poorly thought-through regulation whose costs and risk outweigh the benefits.
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With Trade Barriers Reappearing, G20 Leaders Must Get Serious
As the principal international body for economic policy, the G20 has a particular responsibility to set an example to removing or reducing barriers to international trade and investment.
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We Must Join the Asian Century
The economic opportunities available from engagement with Asia won’t wait for those who are unprepared to grasp them.
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Support for Workers with Disabilities Calls for Three-way Partnership
Countries such as New Zealand could serve as a model, writes Graham Bradley in The Age.
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Government Will Be Judged on Productivity
The test of this parliament is whether it can lift the bar on productivity and ensure a strong economy.
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Long Way to Go on Crucial Tax Reform
It is important not to confuse climate change policy with tax reform, argues Robert Milliner in The Australian Financial Review.
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Carbon Decision Must Focus on National Interest
How will the parliament manage its biggest test since the past election?
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Global Emission Cuts Should Be Policy Focus
Much of the current debate is focused on putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions at any cost and within an artificially short timeframe.
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No Need to Delay Health Reform
Today’s Council of Australian Governments meeting will once again test the mettle of government leaders on their commitment to creating a sustainable healthcare system.
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We Need to Have Faith in the Government’s Sums
The challenge for the government is to build community support for the more comprehensive suite of economic reforms needed to secure Australia’s long-term prosperity.
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Essential Skills in Short Supply
Australia is positioned to take advantage of opportunities from the Asia–Pacific century. With the right leadership and workforce and population policies we can become a stronger, better society.
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Companies Need Better Information on Rules
For Australia and China to keep reaping the benefits of our rapidly growing economic relationship, we must continue discussions on bilateral matters of importance, involving both government and business leaders.
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We Must Commit to Coherent Regulation
What is regulatory governance? Robert Milliner explains in op-ed in The Australian Financial Review.
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Companies Must Support and Guide Education Sector
Quality higher education can lay the foundation for Australia’s economic success over the next 25 years.
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Nation Needs Population Strategy
Low or no population growth is not the way to preserve the way of life we all cherish.
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Health Reform Hasn’t Started
It is time to rethink health and healthcare service delivery, writes Rohan Mead in The Australian.
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Productivity Is Key to Everything
There is a good deal of common ground in what Australians are looking for from political and business leaders.
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BCA Represents Wide Interests
The argument that members of the BCA represent narrow sectional interests and could therefore be ineligible for appointment to the Reserve Bank of Australia Board is thin on several levels.
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Ambitious China Need Not Be an Emerging Problem
Australia has an important role to play in nurturing the relationship between the United States and China.
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NSW Power Play Defies Logic
The troubled New South Wales electricity privatisation process is lurching to a conclusion that promises to be a poor one for electricity users and for NSW taxpayers.
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Lack of Policy Won’t Stop NBN
Getting Australia’s broadband model right is so important for our long-term interest that cost–benefit analysis is essential and in everyone’s interests.
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Economy Could Become Roadkill in New Rush to Regulation
Rushing to regulation rather than addressing issues with a thorough process of analysis and consultation will not be in Australia’s long-term interest.
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Side by Side, Businesses Big and Small Grow Together
Over the past decade, large and small businesses have prospered in parallel with each other, writes Katie Lahey in the Herald Sun.
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A Force for Good
Australia is uniquely placed to help the effectiveness of the G20 for the betterment of the planet, writes John Denton in The Age.
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Finding Right Balance Requires Calm
A climate of anxiety is exactly the wrong context for governments to be making important decisions on regulation.
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Our Education Export Industry Needs Attention
The performance of Australia’s international education sector has not received the attention it deserves, writes Michael Andrew in The Australian Financial Review.
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Parliament Must Focus on Reform Where There Is Broad Agreement
Edited extract of a speech by Business Council of Australia President Graham Bradley to the National Press Club in Canberra.
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Bold Vision Still Needed, Whoever’s in Charge
Reform remains a priority for the economy despite a hung parliament, writes Graham Bradley.
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School Education Must Be National Priority
Education and training is a priority for business because we depend, more than ever, on the skills of our people.
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Economic Prosperity Depends on Migration
The electorate isn’t always provided with the information it needs to engage in this important debate, Graham Bradley writes.
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Reform Born of Mutual Respect
Australians, honestly consulted, will back policies that are sustainable and realistic, writes Graham Bradley in the Herald Sun.
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Taking Care of Business
If there is to be a sustained financial recovery, then G20 leaders must listen to the private sector, writes John Denton in The Age.
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Scrap RSPT and Start Again from Ground Up
The BCA, representing all industry sectors, calls on the government to instigate the appropriate reform process in developing its approach to resource taxation.
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Don’t Spook the Punters
At this challenging time in the global economy, we must be on our guard against complacency, writes John Denton in The Age.
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This Is No Time to Undermine Corporate Confidence
Economic policies need to be set and communicated in a way that builds confidence and minimises unnecessary uncertainty, writes Graham Bradley in The Australian.
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Radical Reform Changes Game
The resource super profits tax is truly radical, and raises issues which need to addressed, writes Katie Lahey in The Australian Financial Review.
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Patient-Centred Health Reform
Is better value for healthcare patients achievable? The answer is yes.
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Raise the GST, and Cut Personal and Company Tax to Support Growth
A switch in the tax mix to reduce personal income and company taxes and make greater use of the GST will encourage investment and offer greater incentives to working Australians.
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If We Want More People We Have to Plan Better
We can build a ‘Big Australia’ – but only with strong community support and government leadership.
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G20 Role Needs Greater Clarification
The Group of 20 has the potential to provide the leadership needed for a new era of global co-operation and stability.
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Australia Must Learn from the Crisis
Our challenge is to learn from the economic crisis – and to make our prosperity more sustainable and accessible to more Australians, Graham Bradley writes.
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League Tables Will Improve the Education System
The one outcome from education reform that matters most is improvement in student learning. This means the learning of relevant knowledge and skills by students in all schools, writes Hutch Ranck.
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