'We are pro-business and pro-worker': Albanese responds to the BCA
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The news: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told chief executives from the nation’s biggest companies that he is “proudly pro-business and pro-worker” in response to criticism by the nation's peak business group.
The context: In a speech to the Business Council of Australia's annual dinner on Tuesday night, Albanese also cited examples of where his government had stood up for some of Australia's biggest companies when attacked by the Coalition and the crossbench.
BCA chief executive Bran Black earlier launched a major attack on the Albanese government's approach to businesses, saying that companies were choosing to invest overseas and called for the rollback of multi-employer bargaining laws.
Black said that many of the CEOs leading Australia’s largest companies believe "we are losing our way,” and warned of a looming tax and debt crisis where future generations will face heavier tax burdens and reduced living standards. He urged all sides of politics to take bold policy steps to address productivity, cost of living and housing.
In his speech, Albanese said his government’s changes to aged care and the National Disability Insurance Scheme — two of the biggest pressures on the budget — was “proof that economic reform is not confined to a vanished golden age”. The prime minister said he was optimistic that the government and business could work on further economic reform together.
He also highlighted the Future Made in Australia policy — Creating new Production Tax Credits for critical minerals and green hydrogen — and the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund as more proof of his government’s pro-business agenda.
Over the past two years, the Coalition has also had a more forceful position against big business including proposing anti-divestiture powers against the major supermarkets and Opposition leader Peter Dutton criticising Woolworths for not selling Australia Day merchandise.
Albanese said his government had “stood against some pretty extreme anti-business policies put forward by members of the crossbench, and perhaps more surprisingly, by the Opposition”. He also said Labor stood up for some of Australia’s biggest employers “when others have attacked you for holding a view different to their own”.
He said the government didn’t do this because it’s politically convenient, but because “we value what you say”.
What they said: “I am optimistic that government and business can do this together,” Albanese said.
“By recognising each other’s strengths, respecting each other’s views and valuing each other’s contribution.
“We have different responsibilities that demand different approaches, so it is inevitable we will have occasional differences of opinion. But — for me — those points of disagreement have never defined or diminished our engagement.
“We are proudly pro-business and pro-worker. And we don’t see this as a point of tension, we see it as a matter of logic.
“Throughout the past two years, we’ve stood against some pretty extreme anti-business policies put forward by members of the crossbench, and perhaps more surprisingly, by the Opposition.
“We’ve stood up for some of Australia’s biggest employers, when others have attacked you for holding a view different to their own.
"We don’t do any of this because it’s politically convenient. We do it out of respect for what you do – and because we value what you say.
“Earlier, Bran spoke about looking back at what his predecessors had said at these dinners.
“Over the years I know many of my predecessors have come to your events to demand you advocate more forcefully for their agenda.
“Tonight, I encourage you: keep advancing yours.”
The source: Prime Minister's office
