Business Council of Australia

On Thursday, the Business Council was joined by Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor MP at Parliament House and engaged with BCA members about their priorities going into the Federal Election. As we approach the Federal Election, conversations like this are critical to addressing the nation's biggest challenges. That's why the BCA launched our Big Five Questions, a blueprint for practical, long-term reform. Solving these questions is key to securing Australia's future with a resilient economy and better living standards. We thank the Shadow Treasurer for outlining to the BCA and its members the priorities of the Coalition. 🔗Read more here: https://bit.ly/3CNu0eO

On Wednesday, the Business Council was pleased to host a dinner with our members, at which Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered the keynote speech. This was a fantastic opportunity for BCA members to discuss their priorities with the Treasurer ahead of the Federal Election. This event coincides with the BCA’s release of our Big Five Questions, a list of the nation’s biggest challenges that we must address to secure our long-term economic prosperity and living standards. 🔗Read more here: https://bit.ly/3CNu0eO Geoff Culbert Bran Black

With the release of the Business Council’s Big Five Questions, BCA Chief Executive Bran Black joined Deborah Knight on Money News to discuss our policy solutions ahead of this year’s Federal Election, including how we can ease the cost-of-living. 🔗You can read the full interview here: https://bit.ly/4jKKg0L 2GB

The Business Council is urging all sides of politics to address these five key questions ahead of this year's Federal Election. The BCA’s Big Five Questions are backed by policy ideas that must be considered if we are to boost living standards and create a business environment that drives economic growth. It's time for practical, long-term solutions that tackle the real problems facing Australians. 🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/3CNu0eO

Last week, the Business Council hosted a roundtable with The Australian Financial Review to discuss the ongoing issues of Australia’s skills gap crisis. BCA Chief Executive Bran Black, Monash University Vice-Chancellor Sharon Pickering, SEEK Chief Executive Ian Narev and Endeavour Energy (NSW) CEO Guy Chalkley all gave insights in what are the critical challenges and policy solutions needed to alleviate the problem. All agreed that developing a highly skilled workforce to meet the growing and changing demands of industry was imperative to Australia’s long-term economic growth. The proposals discussed included: 💡Boosting high school completion rates 💡Providing accredited careers counsellors across all high schools 💡Raising the reputation of TAFE colleges 💡Offering comprehensive on-the-job training. Australia needs a coordinated approach to addressing the skills gap crisis. Failure to do so will ultimately worsen our economy, productivity growth and living standards. 🔗Read more here: https://bit.ly/3PZVili

The Business Council is proposing to boost employer apprenticeship incentives to help address Australia’s skills gaps and future-proof our workforce. The BCA’s recommendations encourage businesses to take on more apprentices, through an increased wage subsidy and new grant funding. It's important that the incentives reflect the financial costs of apprenticeship programs while rewarding the businesses that are the best trainers. 🔗You can read more here: https://bit.ly/42ucEhL

The Business Council is calling for policy action in Australia's schools to help boost education standards and address the current skills crisis. This includes: 🎯 Setting new education targets 🔊 Increased phonics screening 👨🏫 A strong focus on evidence-based teaching 🎓 Careers counsellors, working to a national standard, placed in every high school Together these recommendations will give students the best tools to go the distance with their studies and seize the opportunities available, especially in our most needed sectors. 🔗Read more here: https://bit.ly/4aAf4NE Bran Black

Earlier this week, our CEO, Taehee Woo, met with Business Council of Australia Chief Executive, Bran Black, to discuss Hyosung's operations in Australia. The meeting emphasized the importance of enhanced economic cooperation between the two countries, addressing challenges in power infrastructure and renewable energy markets. We also discussed strengthening the quality of supply chains, based on long-term commitment to quality, transparency in business operations, and shared values of upholding strong principles. Hyosung Heavy Industries Worldwide Mike Newman Albert T.Y Park (박태영) Byoung Min Lee Jared Jun #HYOSUNG #BCA

Labour productivity is not growing fast enough, with the construction sector becoming less productive in recent years. This is just one of the many factors contributing to Australia’s housing supply crisis. To ease pressure on our housing system, it is critical that we boost productivity, making it quicker, easier and cheaper to build more homes. You can read more in our ‘It’s time to say yes to housing’ report. 🔗: bit.ly/3UR0pab

Australia needs to build 1.2 million homes over the next five years to meet the Commonwealth Government’s goal and address our national housing supply crisis. However, last financial year we were tracking 64,000 homes behind target. The Business Council’s ‘It’s time to say yes to housing’ report outlines 29 recommendations that we believe are critical to unlocking more homes and reaching this necessary milestone. You can read the full list of recommendations here 🔗: bit.ly/3UR0pab