Statement from Australian Industry Group Head – Victoria, Tim Piper
There are less than 120 days until the November state election. Community and business confidence is low and both major parties need a clear and focused agenda to convince Victorians they can change the State's trajectory.
There are seven clear priorities that must be addressed to support businesses and their workforces and to once again make Victoria a destination for investment and an engine room of growth.
1. Establish a genuine Royal Commission into the Big Build
There must be a Royal Commission announced with broad and comprehensive terms of reference that allow every aspect of the Big Build to be investigated. It must not be a token exercise. Victorians deserve to understand exactly how and why costs escalated, timelines blew out and project delivery went so badly astray.
2. Get serious about crime
The level of crime currently being experienced across Victoria, particularly in Melbourne, is unfamiliar to many Victorians. It's not how we see ourselves, nor is it the type of community in which we want to live. Police must be provided with the resources and legislative support necessary to tackle machete attacks, car thefts, organised crime, ongoing firebombings, the tobacco wars and the threats facing people in their own homes and neighbourhoods.
3. Fix Victoria's roads
The growing number of potholes across Victoria is imposing significant costs on motorists, businesses and the broader community. The State must prioritise road maintenance and ensure infrastructure that Victorians rely on every day is brought back to an acceptable standard.
4. Stop the growth in state debt
There must be a halt to the continued growth in Victoria's debt. An operational budget surplus means little if overall debt continues to rise because of escalating interest costs. Fiscal discipline is essential to restoring confidence in the State's finances.
5. End the cycle of higher taxes
Victorians, families and businesses cannot continue to absorb new taxes and higher charges. Rather than taking the easy option of increasing revenue through taxation, there should be a focus on controlling expenditure and improving efficiency. Reducing taxes would encourage investment.
6. Back business and investment
Business must be treated positively and enable an environment that encourages investment. Businesses need to feel that the Government has their back and understands how business can help improve the debt crisis. Energy costs must be reigned in and new employment costs on Victorian businesses removed. Confidence and certainty will help attract new investment while enabling the thousands of businesses already operating in Victoria to grow and create jobs.
7. Reassess the Suburban Rail Loop and large infrastructure projects
The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) and other major projects should be rigorously reassessed to determine whether they remain the best use of public funds and, especially with the SRL, whether parts of the project should be deferred, scaled back or placed on hold.
Whichever party wins the next election in November it will undoubtedly face many challenges. The issues outlined are among the most pressing. Addressing them quickly and decisively would send a strong signal to Victorians that they are prepared to chart a different course and deliver meaningful change.
Further comment:
Tim Piper – 0411 430 301
