Business groups welcome Gillard’s promise to consult

Business groups have welcomed Julia Gillard’s promise to take a more consultative approach to policymaking, with the controversial Resources Super Profits Tax the first major test for the Government’s apparent new style.

In her first speech as Prime Minister, Gillard said the Government would “open its doors” to the mining industry to speed up the negotiations over the RSPT and immediately cancelled the Government’s advertising campaign in support of the tax.

The mining industry also dropped its advertising campaign, with senior mining industry figures such as billionaire Andrew Forrest cautiously welcoming Gillard’s offer.

“If we can quickly move to something that stimulates mining, stimulates the economy, overseas parties will forgive our transgression and come back and invest,” he said.

“We’ve been screaming blue murder to anyone who will listen about what the problems are with this tax. Now there’s talk of whatever this compromise is, but the strength of whatever they come back with is going to dictate whether they’ve been listening.”

Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman welcomed Gillard’s promise to consult widely before making new policy decisions.

“Retailers and the wider business community welcome Prime Minister Gillard’s statement that she ‘believes in consultation’,” Zimmerman said.

“The economic, environmental, social and workplace challenges facing Australia deserve ongoing, open and two-way consultation with retail and business industry groups before major government decisions are made.”

At the top of the Australian Industry Group’s list of priorities for discussions with Gillard includes “climate change policy, workplace relations, skills and tax reform” while the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry flagged energy and tax policy as its key issues.

ACCI chief Peter Anderson also welcomed Gillard’s call for consultation, and called on Gillard to outline any new ministerial or departmental arrangements as quickly as possible.