This group welcomes the Government’s commitment to putting productivity at the centre of this term’s agenda, particularly through the Productivity Commission’s ‘five pillars’ work.

Productivity growth over the past decade was the weakest in six decades, and we know that improving productivity is essential to attracting investment, lifting real wages, growing jobs, and ensuring more opportunity for more Australians.

This will require the collaboration of government, industry, education providers and workforces to help solve Australia’s productivity challenge.

This group sees most immediate opportunity for reform in:

• Investment and innovation
• Red tape
• Planning and approvals

Reform in these areas is all about getting more productive investment into Australia, quicker, making Australia as competitive and resilient as possible, and reducing input costs that consumers ultimately pay — so all Australians end up better off.

These practical areas represent the first phase of the group’s work, which focuses on achievable reforms that will be advanced through constructive engagement.

Looking ahead, this group is also committed to working collaboratively towards important reform in areas that have additional potential to boost productivity and prosperity — including comprehensive tax reform, trade, skills and employment settings and federal and state relations.

We are united by a shared goal: a more productive economy that lifts opportunity for all.

Joint statement from:

Australian Airports Association

Australian Banking Association

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association

Australian Energy Council

Australian Energy Producers

Australian Industry Group

Australian Investment Council

Australian Travel Industry Association

Australian Retailers Association

Business Council of Australia

Communications Alliance

Council of Small Business Organisations Australia

CPA Australia

Energy Networks Australia

Insurance Council Australia

Minerals Council of Australia

National Farmers’ Federation

National Retail Association

Property Council of Australia

Tech Council of Australia

Tourism and Transport Forum

Universities Australia