Business Regulation

Good regulation protects consumers while supporting productivity and minimising unnecessary business costs.

The Business Council of Australia’s advocacy focuses on an appropriate governance and regulatory environment, underpinned by effective institutions, to support good regulation.

This includes policy advocacy around:

• the settings that would create an optimal regulation system

• more effective public policymaking processes

• removal of poor regulation

• reforming anti-competitive regulation.

The BCA Secretariat contact for business regulation policy issues is Simon Pryor, Executive Director, Infrastructure and Regulation.

Latest Media

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Pollies must stop playing the David v Goliath game
29 June 2017
This opinion article by Jennifer Westacott was published in The Australian on 29 June 2017. More
Business Bashers Must Explain The Consequences
21 November 2016
Populist politicians who target business should tell their voters to expect years of low growth - and tell them why. More
ABCC essential to combatting unlawful union behaviour on construction sites
19 October 2016
Unlawful behaviour by unions on Australia’s building and construction sites may reach crisis point unless Parliament acts now to restore the ABCC More
Misuse of market power law must get the words right
11 October 2016
Using the right words in the misuse of market power provision really matters if it is not to discourage the competition it is intended to protect. More
Harper competition recommendation too broad, will deter rivalry
5 October 2016
All competition laws should be well drafted, but those addressing the misuse of market power matter more than most. Following the Government’s decision to implement the recommendations of the Harper Review, more needs to be done to get the drafting right. More
Australia Has To Compete In The Race For Foreign Investment
28 June 2016
Global uncertainty in the wake of Brexit reinforces the imperative for consistent policies to ensure Australia is a competitive destination for foreign investments. More
BCA Statement on Measures to Bolster ASIC
20 April 2016
The government’s package announced today to bolster the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) is a sensible and measured approach to enhancing financial services regulation. More
Royal Commission unwarranted and risky
8 April 2016
Establishing a Royal Commission into financial services when there is already robust regulatory oversight in place risks undermining confidence at a critical time in the economic cycle, and could have a serious impact on investment and growth. More
Where To Now on Section 46?
21 March 2016
The changes to Section 46 pose a major problem for the growth of our economy and add a new regulatory risk that will make the decision to innovate less attractive. More
BCA Response to Section 46 Announcement
16 March 2016
The Business Council of Australia is disappointed by the government’s decision to change Section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act. More
Statement on Senate Voting Reforms
22 February 2016
The proposed changes to the system of voting for the Senate provide a vital opportunity to strengthen our system of governance. More
Government Consultation on Section 46 is a Welcome Step
11 December 2015
The release of a discussion paper on section 46 is a timely opportunity to reset the debate. More
Competition Reform Needs to Focus on Consumers
28 November 2015
Consumer sovereignty and empowerment is the key to unlocking innovation in the economy. More
Coastal Shipping Reforms Warrant a Second Look
26 November 2015
The Senate's rejection of reforms to streamline coastal trading regulations is a major blow. More
Response to Harper Review Will Be Transformative
24 November 2015
The reforms outlined today are essential if we are to reinvigorate competitiveness. More
Statement on the Introduction of an Effects Test
3 August 2015
The current section 46 is stable, well understood and works. It should not be changed. More
Superannuation Governance: Article by Jennifer Westacott
9 July 2015
The Parliament should get behind this sensible modernisation of one of Australia's most important endowments. More
Cyber Security: Article by Jennifer Westacott
8 July 2015
Because we all share the consequences of cyber crime, working together is critical. More
Statement on Superannuation Governance Arrangements
26 June 2015
The parliament should get behind this sensible modernisation of one of Australia’s most important endowments. More
Coastal Shipping Reforms Deserve to be Passed
25 June 2015
It is critical that the parliament prioritises the national interest and gives its support to the government’s shipping reforms. More
Statement on the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia
18 June 2015
The White Paper will create the conditions for private investment to unlock potential growth in northern Australia. More
Harper Review a Blueprint for a More Competitive Australia
3 June 2015
The final report of the Competition Policy Review sets Australia up for a more prosperous future. More
Coastal Shipping Reform a Major Boost for the Economy
20 May 2015
Reforms to the Coastal Trading Act would be an obvious win for the economy. More
BCA Statement on Harper Competition Policy Review
31 March 2015
The final report of the Competition Policy Review puts forward a substantive reform agenda that can set Australia up for continued economic growth. More
Statement on the Government’s Response to 457 Visa Review
18 March 2015
The government’s proposed changes to the 457 visa scheme will improve its operation and reduce business costs. More
Statement on Autumn Repeal Day
18 March 2015
The government’s third Repeal Day continues the significant progress being made in reducing red tape costs on business More
Response to Financial System Inquiry Must Priortise Growth and Jobs
7 December 2014
The federal government’s response to the Financial System Inquiry must prioritise actions to support economic growth and high-value job creation. More
Regulation Reform Is Needed: Article by Jennifer Westacott
1 November 2014
Good regulation is needed to protect the community, but bad or unnecessary regulation is a dead weight on the economy and costs jobs. More
Improve Regulator Performance to Lift Growth and Jobs
29 October 2014
The government's regulator performance framework will create stronger links between the actions of regulators and goals to grow the economy and create jobs. More
Second Repeal Day Keeps Up the Good Work
23 October 2014
The government's second Repeal Day continues to make significant inroads into the backlog of unnecessary regulation in Australia. More
Reckless Senate Undermines Australia's Key Advantage
2 October 2014
Frustrating attempts by federal and state governments to streamline the approvals process for major projects puts investment in Australia at risk. More
Political Horse-Trading on EPBC Act Compromises Australia's Interests
1 October 2014
A Greens and PUP deal to block reforms that would remove unnecessary double-handling under the EPBC Act is a backward step for our competitiveness. More
Draft Harper Report Resets Competition Policy for Global Challenges
22 September 2014
Draft report sets scene for a shift in competition policy to address globalisation, technology and deliver benefits to the community. http://bit.ly/1ylEXM5 More
457 Visa Report Strikes the Right Balance
10 September 2014
Streamlining 457 visas good for growing the economy and generating new jobs for Australian workers. More
Stronger Regulator Governance Will Reduce Red Tape Costs
8 August 2014
New governance arrangements for major regulators should ensure they focus on achieving their objectives at the lowest possible cost to businesses More
Competition Policy Needs a Global Wake-up Call
4 July 2014
The review provides an opportunity for structural reforms to lift productivity and grow living standards in a competitive global economy. More
Major Milestones on Streamlined Environmental Approvals
14 May 2014
The Commonwealth Government achieved several important milestones today in its plans to remove Commonwealth–state duplication on environmental approvals. More
Joint Statement on the Options Paper on Coastal Shipping Reform
8 April 2014
The government’s review of the rules governing ship movements recognises that the current system is not working in the interests of the Australian economy. More
Statement on Standards of Accreditation for Environmental Approvals
28 March 2014
An important milestone towards removing the unnecessary double handling of environmental assessments and approvals between levels of government. More
Competition Review Terms of Reference and Panel Statement
27 March 2014
The BCA responds to final details from the federal government in respect to the terms of reference and panel for the competition policy review. More
Regulation Repeal Day: Daily Telegraph Article by Jennifer Westacott
26 March 2014
Removing poor regulation is one of the best and fastest ways to help business flourish and make the economy stronger, BCA CEO writes in the Daily Telegraph. More
Statement on Regulation Repeal Day Legislation
19 March 2014
The federal government’s repeal day legislation marks a turning point in dealing with the high costs and inefficiencies faced by businesses and consumers. More
Competition Policy from 1992 to 2014: Presentation by Professor Fred Hilmer
March 2014
Insights on Australia’s ‘first wave’ of National Competition Policy and the key issues implicit in the current competition review. More
Good Process Avoids Poor Regulation: AFR Article by Jennifer Westacott
25 February 2014
The Workplace Gender Equality Act and the Australian Jobs Act are examples of the “wrong solution to the right problem”. More
Competition Policy Review: Opinion article in the AFR by Jennifer Westacott and Danny Gilbert
13 February 2014
Three key lessons from the Hilmer process that can usefully be applied to the review of competition policy. More
Assessment Process Agreement is a Model to Follow
20 December 2013
Commonwealth and NSW Governments progress a bilateral agreement that continues momentum towards a national one-stop-shop for environmental approvals. More
Improving Regulation Requires Sharper Focus on Regulators
22 November 2013
It’s time to make a more efficient regulatory system, including better-performing regulators, one of the top priorities for economic policy setting. More
Commonwealth and New South Wales Continue One-Stop-Shop Momentum
5 November 2013
BCA welcomes Prime Minister Abbott and NSW Premier O’Farrell's signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to streamline the environmental approvals process. More
A New Framework for Delivering Economic and Environmental Objectives
16 October 2013
New framework for one-stop-shop for environment approvals will boost confidence and protect the environment, Business Council of Australia statement says. More
Action to Progress Environmental Assessments Welcome
26 September 2013
The BCA welcomes the clearing of a backlog of 50 applications for coal and coal seam gas developments by Environment Minister Greg Hunt. More
Speech by BCA CEO Jennifer Westacott to the NAB Small Business Summit
25 July 2013
Speech outlines the common ground between businesses of all sizes in delivering a prosperous Australia. More
BCA Supports Coalition Approach to Improving Regulatory Environment
8 July 2013
The Coalition’s proposed approach to regulation illustrates a strong understanding of the importance of good regulation. More
Damaging 457 Bill Must Be Pulled from Senate
27 June 2013
The BCA calls on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to withdraw the Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill from the parliament. More
Statement on 457 Visa Bill: Senate Must Take a Stand
26 June 2013
The government’s damaging Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill must be rejected. More
Statement on the Coalition’s ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Environmental Approvals
26 June 2013
The Business Council of Australia welcomes the Coalition’s policy to establish a single approvals process for environmental assessment and approvals More
Migration Amendment Bill Risks Jobs and Economic Growth
17 June 2013
AiG, BCA and Migration Council Australia call on federal parliamentarians to oppose the Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill 2013. More
Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity: Third Column in The Australian
17 June 2013
Jennifer Westacott writes about the importance of regulatory reform as part of a series discussing the BCA Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity. More
Australia’s Laws Must Not Be Used for Political Purposes
16 June 2013
The government should wait for Productivity Commission report before considering changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. More
457 Visa Bill Ignores Proper Process and Should Be Rejected
6 June 2013
The federal government’s Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill 2013 is mired in misinformation, damaging rhetoric and poor process. More
Action to Improve Australia’s Competitiveness
6 June 2013
Statement following meeting with Andrew Liveris, Chairman of the US Business Council, on the importance of high-value technology investments and activity. More
Article on Retail Red Tape by Tony Shepherd in the AFR
15 May 2013
State parliaments have struggled to accept the new retailing reality and the challenge that international online retailing presents, Tony Shepherd writes. More
Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity: First Column in The Australian
20 April 2013
First in a series of columns by Jennifer Westacott in The Australian discussing the Business Council of Australia’s Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity. More
Lack of Discipline a Real Concern: Article by Tony Shepherd in the AFR
15 March 2013
Disciplined regulation making is part and parcel of governing in the best interests of the nation and all Australians, writes Tony Shepherd in the AFR. More
All Pain for No Environmental Gain
12 March 2013
Proposed amendments to the EPBC Act would duplicate state and territory processes and add new layers of uncertainty, complexity and cost. More
Red Tape Not the Answer on Skills
23 February 2013
Unwarranted red tape and restrictions on the 457 (temporary skilled worker) visa scheme work against business investment and economic growth. More
New Requirements for Regulation Must Be Followed
5 December 2012
The final response to the independent review of the federal government’s Regulatory Impact Analysis process is another important step in getting the regulation-making process back on track. More
Open Letter to Members of the Australian Labor Party Caucus about the Enterprise Migration Agreement Program
28 May 2012
Tying up the government's Enterprise Migration Agreement program in more red tape is potentially unmanageable and is no way to help Australian workers. More
Migration Agreement a Step in Keeping the Pipeline Flowing
25 May 2012
The approval by the federal government of its first Enterprise Migration Agreement for the Roy Hill project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region is a welcome step. More
Business Awaits COAG Backing for Major Projects Inquiry
10 May 2012
BCA proposal for a Productivity Commission inquiry needs the backing of COAG. More
Joint Support for Promoting and Improving US Access to Australian Temporary Skilled Work Visas
2 April 2012
There is a real potential for skilled US workers to temporarily fill skills gaps in Australia to the benefit of the individuals concerned, our membership and our economies. More
Opening Statement by BCA President Tony Shepherd at the Announcement of the New COAG Business Advisory Forum
6 March 2012
The forum is a great opportunity to reset the agenda to get the federation working better. More
COAG Still Lagging on Important Productivity Reforms
3 February 2012
All governments will need to substantially lift their game if COAG’s increasingly ambitious timetable is to be met. More
Review of Regulatory Impact Assessments
14 December 2011
The government’s announcement of measures to enhance the resources and capability of agencies to prepare regulatory impact statements is a positive development. More
Regulatory Body Appointments Will Steer a Steady Ship
3 May 2011
The BCA welcomes the federal government’s nominations of new chairmen for the important regulatory bodies, ASIC and the ACCC. More
We Must Commit to Coherent Regulation
18 April 2011
What is regulatory governance? Robert Milliner explains in The Australian Financial Review. More
Federal Government Sidesteps Best Practice Regulation
20 December 2010
The Annual Report of the Office of Best Practice Regulation confirms the BCA’s recent assessment of the declining performance of the Commonwealth Government in complying with its own rules on regulation-making. More
Economy Too Important for Hasty Regulatory Reaction
13 December 2010
BCA Chief Executive Katie Lahey said federal government proposals to reform Australia’s banking system should be exposed to the full force of the government’s own best practice regulation-making processes. More
All Governments Still in a Tangle on Business Red Tape
18 November 2010
Australian businesses continue to be shackled by costly red tape, BCA scorecard finds. More
Economy Could Become Roadkill in New Rush to Regulation
15 November 2010
Rushing to regulation rather than addressing issues with a thorough process of analysis and consultation will not be in Australia’s long-term interest, writes Katie Lahey in The Australian. More
Side by Side, Businesses Big and Small Grow Together
12 November 2010
Over the past decade, large and small businesses have prospered in parallel with each other, writes Katie Lahey in the Herald Sun. More
Working in Parallel
11 November 2010
How large and small businesses work together, contribute to each other’s success and jointly contribute to Australia’s overall prosperity. More
Finding Right Balance Requires Calm
6 November 2010
A climate of anxiety is exactly the wrong context for governments to be making important decisions on regulation, writes Katie Lahey in the Herald Sun. More
This Is No Time to Undermine Corporate Confidence
17 May 2010
Economic policies need to be set and communicated in a way that builds confidence and minimises unnecessary uncertainty, writes Graham Bradley in The Australian. More
Government Response Pays Sound Attention to Executive Remuneration Recommendations
16 April 2010
It is a reasonably balanced approach to what has been a sensitive issue for the community. More
Australia Must Learn from the Crisis
28 January 2010
Our challenge is to learn from the economic crisis – and to make our prosperity more sustainable and accessible to more Australians, Graham Bradley writes in The Australian Financial Review. More
Productivity Commission Report Should End Many Executive Pay Misconceptions
4 January 2010
The report has shown there is no widespread failure in executive remuneration governance across Australian companies. More
Red Tape: Government Breaks Its Own Rules
20 December 2009
A new independent assessment shows the federal government is failing to follow its own rules on regulation. More
Work Safety Progress Not Completed Until All States In
11 December 2009
For there to be a truly effective and efficient national system of workplace safety it needs the involvement of every jurisdiction in Australia. More
Better Processes the Key to Executive Remuneration
30 September 2009
The Productivity Commission’s discussion draft on executive remuneration in Australia makes an important contribution to constructive public debate on executive pay. More
Business Groups on the Same Page on OHS Harmonisation
24 September 2009
Three Australian business groups have joined together to urge all governments to support one system of workplace safety laws. More
Employee Share Ownership: Statement by BCA President Greig Gailey
5 June 2009
The BCA welcomes the discussion paper on employee share ownership plans released by the federal government. More
Common Sense Must Prevail on Employee Share Plan Changes
25 May 2009
Consultation on tax changes relating to employee share plans must start from the position of not requiring tax payment until the shares or options vest or are exercised. More
Harmonisation of Occupational Health and Safety in Australia
18 May 2009
An open letter calling all premiers and chief ministers to support the next tranche of OHS harmonisation. More
COAG Steps Forward But Must Improve to Avoid Stumbling
1 May 2009
Some positive steps were taken at yesterday’s COAG meeting but a risk remains that the pace of key national reforms is slowing, BCA Chief Executive Katie Lahey said. More
Productivity Commission Review Will Allow Considered Analysis of Remuneration
18 March 2009
The BCA welcomes the appointment of the Productivity Commission to conduct an inquiry into executive remuneration. More
Senate Urged to Release Brakes on National OHS Reform
9 November 2008
The Senate should reconsider amendments to the Bill establishing Safe Work Australia in the parliamentary sessions resuming this week. More
Meeting of the Council of Australian Governments: Response by Greig Gailey
3 July 2008
Australia’s political leaders have today taken major steps to progress important national reforms that will bring Australia into the 21st century, BCA President Greig Gailey said. More
Revitalised COAG Agenda Lays Foundation for Success
27 March 2008
Commitments by federal, state and territory leaders at the March COAG meeting represent significant progress towards a reinvigorated national reform agenda. More
One Economy Needs One Set of Rules for Business
17 March 2008
Why Australia needs a single, seamless set of rules for all businesses by 2010. More
Statement in Response to Proposed Amendments to the Trade Practices Act
11 September 2007
The BCA today warned that the introduction into the Senate of new predatory pricing amendments to trade practices laws ran the risk of significant impacts on business competition and for consumers. More
New Policy Directions Needed for Australia’s Underserviced Services Economy
23 July 2007
Australia needs to undertake a fundamental policy rethink on how to improve its flagging performance in services exports, according to a new discussion paper released today by the Business Council of Australia. More
Business–Community Partnerships Now a Core Part of Business Strategy
13 June 2007
Australia’s largest companies are increasing and deepening their involvement in the community as corporate community investment (CCI) is becoming a core part of business activity and strategy, according to a landmark report released today. More
Business Still Tied up by State and Territory Red Tape
27 May 2007
State and territory governments are failing to get their red tape blow-out under control, BCA report finds. More
New Regulatory System Bill Keeps It Simple
24 May 2007
The Business Council of Australia welcomes the introduction into parliament today by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Mr Chris Pearce, of the Simpler Regulatory System Bill. More
2006 AGMs: Review and Results
14 May 2007
A study of over 70 annual general meetings (AGMs) identifying practices and procedures that were used in AGMs in 2006 has been released today. More
Business to Put Federal Government Red Tape Performance Under the Microscope
13 May 2007
Leading business groups concerned about the growth of red tape have joined together in an initiative to put federal government performance in cutting red tape under closer scrutiny. More
Policy that Counts: Assessing Election Commitments in 2007
17 April 2007
BCA President Michael Chaney launches a package of policy recommendations aimed at elevating Australia’s living standards into the world’s top-five band by 2012. More
Paying the Price for a Tiered System
4 December 2006
Our federation can be a co-operative or a takeover, writes Michael Chaney. More
Make the Most of New Review of Old Red Tape
17 November 2006
More
The Vow to Cut Through the White-Out of Red Tape? It's Just Another Pink Elephant
17 November 2006
Regulation is significant cost and resource burden, writes Katie Lahey in The Age. More
Trade Practices Breakthrough
19 October 2006
The BCA has welcomed the long-awaited passage of the Bill giving effect to many of the recommendations of the Dawson Committee's review of Australia's Trade Practices Act. More
Red-Tape Removal Gets Green Light
24 August 2006
The BCA applauds the federal government’s decision last week to accept most of the recommendations in the Banks taskforce report on reducing business red tape. More
Giant Step on Red Tape Reinforces Pressure on States
15 August 2006
The Business Council of Australia welcomes the final federal government response to the Banks Taskforce report on reducing business red tape as a giant step forward for Australia’s economic efficiency. More
Further Progress on Red Tape Welcome
14 August 2006
The BCA welcomes the announcement today by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, the Hon. Chris Pearce MP, of a new round of improvements to business regulation and the proposal to introduce the Simpler Regulatory System Bill into Parliament. More
COAG Must Stay Focused on Its Agenda
3 August 2006
The true measure of the sincerity of commitment to the COAG reform agenda will be whether governments agree to be held to account for their reform progress. More
Good Start on Red Tape but More Progress Needed
26 June 2006
Red tape reform promises will fall over unless governments and their agencies act swiftly and decisively to implement specific commitments made. More
BCA Welcomes Corporate Responsibility Recognition
22 June 2006
More regulation and red tape is not the answer to encouraging greater corporate responsibility and reporting. More
Federal Reforms Turn the Tide on Red Tape
7 April 2006
Major reforms to red tape announced today by the federal government potentially signalled the start of a reversal of Australia’s regulatory blow-out. More
Please Keep It Much Simpler, Stupid
9 March 2006
Society cannot operate without clear and strong rules – but we do not need regulation which is poorly conceived, writes Steven Munchenberg in The Age. More
Struggling with a Tangle of Red Tape
10 February 2006
Costly and complex red tape has long been a source of frustration for business. But it is now proliferating at an alarming rate, writes Katie Lahey in The Advertiser. More
Regulatory Reform Forum: Remarks by Steven Munchenberg to the National Press Club
12 December 2005
Forum canvasses how red tape is adding a dead weight on business and hampering Australia’s competitiveness. More
Red Tape Needs Systematic Overhaul, Not Quick Fixes Says BCA Submission to Regulation Review
12 December 2005
The problems of over-regulation could only be solved by long-term systemic changes and not quick fixes, the Business Council of Australia said today. More
Tax Page Cull a Step in the Right Direction for Red Tape Reform
24 November 2005
The Business Council of Australia has welcomed the federal government’s decision to cut the number of income tax pages by more than 2,000, saying the move should be a template for a comprehensive cull of unnecessary red tape across the economy. More
BCA Calls for Reinvigorated Competition Policy Reforms to Boost Productivity
2 November 2005
The BCA has called for National Competition Policy to be reinvigorated and expanded to help Australia boost its productivity and lock in economic growth and prosperity. More
BCA Welcomes Red Tape Reform Taskforce
12 October 2005
The BCA welcomed today’s announcement of a special taskforce to reduce red tape saying it was a first step towards addressing Australia’s regulatory blow-out. More
Senator Joyce’s Concerns Baseless
12 October 2005
The BCA is extremely disappointed at the decision of Senator Barnaby Joyce to vote against part of the Dawson reforms to the Trade Practices Act. More
BCA Urges Federal Government to Stand Firm on Trade Practices Reform
20 September 2005
The Business Council of Australia today urged the federal government to resist last-minute calls to reduce competition in Australia through ill-conceived amendments to the Trade Practices Act. More
Red Tape on a Roll and it Must Stop
30 August 2005
For Australia to stay competitive, we need to address the red tape deluge, writes Katie Lahey in The Age. More
Big Gains for Average Australians if Reforms Continue says BCA Research
6 August 2005
Every Australian would be more than $70,000 wealthier by 2025 and the nation would rise to a ranking of third richest in the developed world but only if important reforms to the economy are made now. More
Regulation Blow-Out Risks Economic Growth and Prosperity
23 May 2005
The amount and complexity of new regulation imposed on business and the general community far outstripped the benefits and would damage the economy if left unchecked, according to a new report released by the Business Council of Australia today. More
Attack on Integrity Lacks Moral Standing
5 April 2005
More
BCA Releases Shareholder Communication Discussion Paper
28 September 2004
The Business Council today released a discussion paper outlining a number of new approaches Australia’s listed companies might adopt to strengthen or improve their communication and interaction with shareholders. More
BCA Response to Release of James Hardie Report
22 September 2004
The Business Council of Australia said the inquiry into James Hardie and its asbestos liabilities should continue to follow due process and not become a pretext for legislative change that could adversely impact all corporations. More
Engaging Corporate Australia in the National Occupational Health and Safety Strategy
30 July 2004
ACCI and the BCA are taking the National OHS Strategy direct to the decision makers and senior executives in Australia's top 100 companies. More
Executive Pay Position Paper
24 June 2004
The Business Council of Australia today released a position paper in response to the continuing debate over pay for CEOs and other senior business managers. More
BCA Welcomes Dawson
23 June 2004
The Business Council of Australia today welcomed the announcement by the federal government that legislation giving effect to the recommendations of the Dawson Inquiry into the Trade Practices Act will be introduced into Parliament tomorrow. More
Civil Society, the Corporation and Regulation: Speech by BCA President Hugh Morgan to CEDA
22 March 2004
Speech by BCA President Hugh Morgan to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia titled ‘Civil Society, the Corporation and Regulation’. More
Senate Report on Changing Australia’s Competition Laws
8 March 2004
A Senate report threatens healthy competition, writes Hugh Morgan in an op-ed in The Australian Financial Review. More
BCA Rejects Senate Report on Competition Law
1 March 2004
The Business Council of Australia today warned that major changes to trade practices law, proposed by a Senate Committee inquiry, ran the risk of significant impacts on Australia’s economy. More
Consumers Will Lose from Trade Practices Changes
16 February 2004
Consumers will be the main losers from any changes to the Trade Practices Act that led to restrictions on price competition, the Business Council of Australia said today. More
The Community of Business
5 February 2004
Much of the wealth and economic welbeing of Australian society depends on the ‘community of business’. More
Review of ASIC Powers Welcome but Legislation still Flawed
4 December 2003
The Business Council of Australia said today the detailing of new corporate governance legislation in federal Parliament today reinforced business views that key parts of the CLERP 9 bill were bad law and would continue to be opposed. More
Strong Concerns Remain with CLERP 9: BCA Submission
13 November 2003
Key parts of the proposed CLERP 9 legislation will continue to be strongly opposed by big business on the basis that they are counter to sound company performance, good corporate governance and long-term shareholder interests. More
Release of Executive Pay Best Practice Principles
6 November 2003
Best practice principles to provide companies and boards with guidance on developing and structuring executive pay packages. More
Business Urges Changes to CLERP 9
8 October 2003
The Business Council of Australia said today it supported the majority of the CLERP 9 corporate governance proposals but continued to have serious concerns about key aspects of the package. More
Labor’s CLERP Package a Backward Step
6 October 2003
The Business Council of Australia response to Labor’s CLERP 9 statement. More
Getting Value from AGMs
23 September 2003
Code of conduct for annual general meetings released. More
Stopping Price Competition Will Hurt Consumers
20 June 2003
The Business Council of Australia said today that any specific prohibition on competitive pricing by large business would directly affect consumers, denying them the benefits of robust price competition. More
Business Welcomes Dawson Report
16 April 2003
The Business Council of Australia today welcomed the release of the Dawson Report on the Trade Practices Act and its administration. More
Questionable Tactics by Reputation Firm
10 April 2003
The Business Council of Australia has expressed serious concerns about the tactics employed by a reputation rating service seeking to co-opt the involvement of major businesses in its commercial surveys. More
New Governance Rules Welcome but Need Close Monitoring
31 March 2003
The Business Council of Australia said today it welcomed the announcement of new governance rules by ASX Corporate Governance Council today but said their effectiveness would need to be closely monitored. More
Trade Practices Act Submission Released
9 July 2002
Set of accountability measures to restore business confidence in the Trade Practices Act and its administration. More
Trade Practices Act Review Critical to Prosperity
9 May 2002
The review of the Trade Practices Act must deliver fairness, competitiveness and accountability. More
BCA Applauds Productivity Commission Report
26 February 2002
The Productivity Commission report on offshore investment by Australian firms is welcome. More
Business Council of Australia Welcomes Competition Decision
28 November 2001
The Business Council of Australia today welcomed the federal government’s decision not to amend the Trade Practices Act as it relates to the aviation industry. More
Towards Sustainable Development: Draft Consultation Report
31 May 2001
Draft consultation report prepared by the BCA Sustainable Development Task Force for consultation outlining how leading Australian and global corporations are contributing to sustainable development. More
Sustainable Development Critical to World Prosperity
31 May 2001
The pursuit of sustainable development is necessary for the future prosperity of the world, according to the Business Council of Australia. More
Corporations Law Referral Welcomed
8 March 2001
A coalition of business, financial and legal groups has welcomed the introduction into the New South Wales Parliament of the first state legislation referring corporate regulatory powers to the Commonwealth. More
BCA Welcomes Agreement
21 December 2000
The Business Council of Australia today welcomed the agreement reached between the Commonwealth and the New South Wales and Victorian governments on the operation of Australia’s Corporations Law. More
Coalition of Peak Bodies Calls for End to Corporations Law ‘Uncertainty’
25 July 2000
A coalition of peak business bodies has called on state governments to refer to the Commonwealth powers to deal with uncertainty surrounding Australia’s Corporations Law following a series of recent High Court decisions, culminating in The Queen v Hughes. More
Letter Sent to all State Premiers regarding Australia’s Corporations Law
19 July 2000
Copy of a letter from Mr David Buckingham, regarding Australia’s Corporations Law. More
Victoria: A National Business Perspective
31 March 2000
Speech by BCA Executive Director David Buckingham to the Victorian Economic Summit in Melbourne. More