THE STATE’S peak business body Business Chamber Queensland says the election outcome marks a new opportunity for business in Queensland.
“We congratulate Queensland’s Premier David Crisafulli and his team on the election result. We have a strong relationship with Mr Crisafulli and his team and look forward to working with the new government to ensure Queensland is the best place to do business,” Business Chamber Queensland CEO Heidi Cooper said.
“We particularly welcome Mr Crisafulli’s comments on election night that he wants Queensland to be “a place to invest” and give every opportunity for Queensland to be “the economic powerhouse of the nation”.
“Right now, it is hard to do business in Queensland and this new government must prioritise business.
“Our 2024 State Election Business Blueprint called for close to 100 recommendations for the next Queensland government, designed to relieve business from compounding day-to-day pressures, and prepare business to participate in and capitalise on future economic opportunities.
“When we ask businesses what they want to see from the next Queensland government, they tell us they want reform to insurance affordability, taxation and regulatory burden as well as immediate relief from operating costs.
“We also heard social issues like crime and housing are impacting businesses, alongside ongoing workforce constraints.”
The chamber’s data shows Queensland businesses’ first policy priority for the new government is to increase the payroll tax threshold to wage growth to prevent it from becoming a barrier to employment growth, taking into account accelerating wage costs.
Businesses also want the new government to prioritise business payment times, removing stamp duty on insurance premiums, and to commit to working with industry on key measures to relieve regulatory burden and remove workforce constraints.
“It is absolutely essential that this new Queensland government deals with weak and declining productivity,” Ms Cooper said.
“We’re calling on the new government to make these changes.
“These are actionable and impactful policy changes the state’s business community have identified as the highest priority.”
The chamber has vowed to continue to advocate to the Queensland government on these issues.
“Businesses are too important to our economy and communities to be forgotten and their needs cannot be dismissed,” Ms Cooper said.
“Businesses are expecting change. With this new Queensland government, there is an opportunity to restore business confidence.”
