Business SA wants election now
Business SA this morning called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to end “uncertainty” and announce the date of the federal election.
Business SA CEO Nigel McBride said the announcement was needed to boost business confidence.
“The continued lack of clarity by the Federal Government regarding the date of the election is creating more uncertainty for business,” McBride said.
“Uncertainty always creates negativity in the business community and the only way to remove the uncertainty is to have an election as soon as possible.
“Business confidence is already low and the longer it takes before we have an election will deter business investment which in turn impacts negatively on jobs in South Australia.”
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McBride said he welcomed Rudd’s statement that he wanted to work with business “and he now has the opportunity to start working with business by calling an election for the earliest possible date”.
The comments come as Rudd begins his push to build closer ties with business.
Rudd and Finance Minister Penny Wong met Business Council of Australia (BCA) representatives, led by president Tony Shepherd, in Canberra today.
Last week, after Rudd was re-installed as Labor leader, Shepherd issued a business wish list centred on restoring shaky business and consumer confidence.
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He called for the carbon price to be lowered to the international level, a withdrawal of “damaging” amendments to skilled worker temporary 457 visa laws and the Fair Work Act and for the repeal of other business-related legislation.
Wong said it was important to have discussions on productivity, the global economy and ensuring the local economy remained strong.
But she shied away from claims Labor and business had a bad relationship under former prime minster Julia Gillard, whose regime was blamed for trying to incite a politically motivated class war in the community.
“I’m not going to get into some criticism of what’s gone before,” Wong told Sky News.
Treasurer Chris Bowen last week told parliament he had contacted a number of business groups, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Industry Group and Council of Small Business of Australia.
So far only the BCA has had a formal meeting.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott questioned the value of the government’s meeting with the BCA, describing it as just a “conversation”.
“Has the carbon tax been abolished? No. Has the attack on skilled migration been changed? No. Has the government announced there will be less regulation on business? No,” he told reporters in Melbourne.
“So nothing’s changed. All that’s happened is a conversation, but we know from Mr Rudd’s previous record that he’s all talk and no action.”
– with AAP
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