Australian Chamber Welcomes New Federal Government Ministry

The new Morrison Coalition Federal Government Ministry reflects the right mix of stability and progress for the Australian business community, Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said today.

“We welcome Prime Minister’s Morrison decision to keep some of his most experienced Ministers in key portfolios whilst bringing in new ideas with new Ministers,” Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said.

“We congratulate Senator Michaelia Cash on her appointment as Minister for Employment, Skills, Small & Family Business and look forward to working with her to ensure Small Business gets the recognition and support it needs – given 98% of Australian business is Small Business.

“We will continue our Small Business Is A Big Deal Campaign so that Small Business remains front of mind for the Government and the Parliament.

“The priorities are to improve workplace relations, stop the collapse in skills and get power prices down. We campaigned on these issues during the election and they remain front and centre for all business, particularly small business.”

Mr Pearson congratulated Ministers in other portfolios that are fundamental to Australian business.

Mr Pearson said he welcomed the explicit linking of emissions reduction and energy in Energy Minister Angus Taylor’s renamed portfolio, as it reflects the need to ensure reliability and meet emissions reduction targets while getting power prices down and keeping them down.

“Simon Birmingham as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Dan Tehan as Minister for Education will deliver further continuity in critical portfolios,” Mr Pearson said.

“We are keen to support the efforts of the Attorney General Christian Porter with his new role as Minister for Industrial Relations. The stage is set for sensible, practical improvements in industrial relations that will help employers and employees cooperate in organising their work.

“The Skills agenda is a vital one and we welcome Steve Irons as Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships working with Senator Cash.

“Jane Hume as Assistant Minister for Superannuation will have responsibility for a policy area of great interest to employers as they are responsible for making superannuation guarantee payments.

“We welcome the appointment of Ken Wyatt as the first indigenous Australian to hold the Indigenous Affairs portfolio. Australian business are making major contributions to addressing indigenous reconciliation and creating employment opportunities for indigenous Australians.

“The task ahead for the returned Federal Government is a challenging one and business wants to work closely with the new Ministry and Parliament to improve the productive capacity of the economy, our ability to withstand external economic shocks and improve our international competitiveness.

“We welcome the return of the economic team of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann. They work closely with business and business is confident they understand the need to create a competitive environment for business in an economy that is strong, growing and resilient in the face of headwinds in the global and local economy.

“That’s why it is so important to stick to a strong plan of budget management – to keep spending under control and ensure that surplus is achieved in year one of the third term of this government.

“With clear support from our political leaders, and through consultation and collaboration in the workplace, Australia’s employers and employees can work together so that all Australians can have the jobs, living standards and opportunities to which they aspire.”

The Australian Chamber is Australia’s largest network of employers, speaking for over 300,000 businesses employing millions of Australians in every sector of the economy, in every corner of Australia. Our Small Business is a Big Deal campaign gives voice to what small businesses need from the federal government, and our Getting on with Businessrecommends ways to make Australia the best place in the world to do business.