THE National Farmers’ Federation has this week joined a united front of organisations seeking a stronger commitment to the nation’s businesses in the next term of parliament.
Twenty business groups, led by the Business Council of Australia, asked parliamentarians for a new agenda that backs all businesses.
NFF CEO Troy Williams said agriculture stands ready to help fire up the economy – if policy makers get the settings right.
“Family farms are the engine room of our regions and our economy, contributing $88 billion in output and over 250,000 jobs,” Mr Williams said.
“Australian farmers are at the intersection of major megatrends reshaping the sector.
“This election, farmers want action: less red and green tape, smarter investment, and a clear path to drive productivity across the nation.”
The open letter (below) to Parliament noted the private sector employed six out of every seven workers.
“Australia succeeds when business succeeds—and it’s time to make sure we have the settings right for both,” the letter stated.
“The signatories to this letter have each put forward substantive policy proposals in the lead up to the next election.”
In the next term of Parliament, NFF and other peak business organisations seek a commitment for an agenda that backs all businesses to be successful in delivering prosperity for all Australians.
Open letter to Parliament: A strong economy through successful businesses
Twenty business groups from right across Australia are calling on the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and independents to provide a commitment for a policy agenda that backs businesses to succeed and deliver prosperity for all Australians in uncertain times.
The significant group covers every part of the economy.
This includes small, medium and large businesses, farmers, tourist and transport operators, manufacturers, miners, energy producers, newsagents and regional supermarkets.
The campaign launched on Thursday, April 10, and includes a joint letter co-signed by the 20 business groups.
Read the full letter:
Dear Parliamentarians,
Our businesses support Australians by employing millions of people, funding essential services, and underpinning our national prosperity. Unfortunately, businesses are facing challenges right now that make it harder for them to succeed and thrive. While we are seeing some green shoots in our economy with recent GDP figures, private sector growth is weak, with many underlying issues—particularly productivity.
That’s why we are writing, as the representatives of Australia’s businesses, small and large, to ask you for a clear agenda to enable Australian businesses to grow and thrive. This is a fundamental prerequisite for every political party invested in Australia’s long-term success. This new agenda must back the role of successful businesses, at all levels, in building improved Australian living standards.
We know that the private sector employs six out of every seven workers.
We know that about 80 per cent of Australia’s final economic output comes from businesses of all sizes.
We know that businesses, and the people they employ, account for the bulk of tax revenue that funds our health and security.
In the last year alone, businesses paid $143 billion in company tax. That’s enough to pay for all Federal spending on health and aged care.
Yet we have one of the least competitive tax systems among comparable nations. We’ve burdened our economic engine room with countless new pieces of regulation and red tape.
And the prosperity of all Australians suffers while our productivity lags. That’s why we need an agenda to boost business opportunities in the next term of Parliament—an agenda that makes Australia a more attractive destination for investment and an easier place to do business so that we can increase living standards.
Australia succeeds when business succeeds—and it’s time to make sure we have the settings right for both. The signatories to this letter have each put forward substantive policy proposals in the lead up to the next election.
In the next term of Parliament, we ask that you provide a commitment for an agenda that backs all businesses to be successful in delivering prosperity for all Australians.
