Submissions

The Business Council welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Treasury’s consultation paper Proposal to remake the Statistics Determination 1983.

Download: Consultation on the Statistics Determination 1983

This is the Business Council response to the Department of Home Affairs’ consultation on Managing Australia’s Migrant Intake.

Download: Response to the Department of Home Affairs consultation on Managing Australia's Migrant Intake

This is the BCA submission to the Senate Education and Employment Committees’ inquiry into Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017, and the Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017 (provisions).

Download: Submission on Skilling Australians Fund Bills

This is the Business Council’s submission to the Victorian Economic, Education, Jobs and Skills Committee’s Inquiry into career advice activities in Victorian schools.

Download: Submission on career advice activities in schools

This submission from the Business Council sets out a suggested policy framework for considering issues in ‘the digital economy’. Although business has the primary role in driving digital innovation, government can assist by setting the right framework.

Download: Submission to the National Digital Economy Strategy

BCA submission to the Department of Employment consultation on the listing of occupations on the Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Listing determines eligibility for temporary work visas.

Download: Submission to the Department of Employment on the Skilled Migration Occupation List Traffic Light Bulletin

This is the BCA’s submission to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on their Interim Guidelines. This submission recommends changes to the final guidelines to provide business with greater certainty about how the new laws will operate.

Download: Business Council Submission (Final) - ACCC Interim Guidelines (December 2017)

This is the BCA's submission to the Attorney-General’s Department’s paper Modern Slavery in Supply Chains Reporting Requirement – Public Consultation Paper and Regulation Impact Statement.

Download: Modern Slavery in Supply Chains paper

Our submission to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection on visa simplification supports the government's aims to reduce the number of visas and makes recommendations for a more efficient and risk-based approach to migration regulation.

Download: Submission on Visa Framework Simplification

The Business Council’s submission supports the consolidation of Australia’s 32 federal business registers and improved public access to information contained in business registers.

Download: Submission on Modernising Business Registry Services

The Business Council has made a submissions that supports the introduction of a new fuel efficiency standard of 105gCO2/km by 2025 for all new light vehicles in Australia.

Download: Submission on the Model Fuel Efficiency Standard

The Business Council has provided an additional submission in response to the Black Economy Taskforce: Additional Policy Ideas report.

Download: Submission to the Black Economy Taskforce: Additional Policy Ideas

The Business Council believes that the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) has worked appropriately to date and changes should not be pursued without a clear, demonstrable net benefit from doing so.

Download: Submission on Options to Address the Design Issues Identified in the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Review

The Business Council supports the implementation of Heavy Vehicle Road Reform by Australia’s governments, which will lead to more efficient provision and use of road transport infrastructure.

Download: Submission on Independent Price Regulation of Heavy Vehicle Charges

This is the Business Council’s submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment’s inquiry into penalty rates.

Download: Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment Penalty Rates

The Freight and Supply Chain Strategy should set an ambitious goal for a globally competitive freight and logistics sector in Australia, to be achieved by efficiently expanding the capacity of the sector to cater for future growth and lift productivity.

Download: Submission to the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy

The Business Council strongly believes all companies and individuals must meet their tax obligations and we strongly endorse the work of the Taskforce in this regard. At the same time, laws and regulations should not be so overly complex or burdensome as

Download: Submission to the Black Economy Taskforce Interim Report

The system of HFE as it is currently applied is too complex, and is not well suited to dealing with very large disparities between jurisdictions – as occurred during the recent resources boom – or when economic fortunes of states rapidly change.

Download: Download the Submission

Submission to the Commonwealth Government on Revised Occupation Lists for Temporary Skill Shortage Visas.

Download: Submission to the Commonwealth Government on revised Skilled Occupation Lists for temporary skilled visas

The Review of Climate Change Policies must resolve a number of fundamental tensions if Australia is to restore its comparative advantage in energy.

Download: Submission to the 2017 Review of Climate Change Policies

The haste with which the levy has been introduced has left all stakeholders – government, companies and the community – with a great deal of uncertainty.

Download: Submission to Senate Inquiry into the Major Bank Levy

The Indigenous business sector has grown rapidly in the last decade, spurred by increasing demand from the private and public sectors. This presents challenges and opportunities that require a coordinated and careful response.

Download: Submission on Draft Indigenous Business Sector Strategy

Large businesses should take a leadership role on this issue. Large businesses have the resources and expertise required to get a better understanding of their supply chains and their purchasing power gives them the capacity to effect change.

Download: Submission to the Inquiry into Establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia

The Business Council supports the introduction of stricter CO2 emission standards for new light vehicles in Australia.

Download: Submission to the Ministerial Forum on Vehicle Emissions

Rigorous adherence by governments to competitive neutrality policy leads to a more efficient and competitive economy and supports fiscal stability, the provision of high quality goods and services and growth in high paying jobs.

Download: Submission to Treasury for the Review of Competitive Neutrality Policy May 2017

For many economies worldwide struggling with flat productivity growth, sluggish trade and ageing populations, becoming a globally competitive, innovative economy is the answer.

Download: Jennifer Westacott's letter to Bill Ferris AC, 15 May 2017

Proposed changes the coastal shipping sector will create a more streamlined and flexible licensing regime which will help to alleviate high regulatory and shipping costs and boost employment opportunities and economic growth.

Download: Submission to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development on Coastal Shipping Reforms

The sale of public water assets to the private sector, within appropriate regulatory settings, can improve operational efficiency and allow governments to reinvest the proceeds in new infrastructure projects.

Download: Business Council Submission on National Water Reform (May 2017)

The Ombudsman, the Business Council and other industry groups should work together to develop a voluntary industry code for prompt and on-time payments to small business suppliers and to promote industry-led small business procurement policies.

Download: Submission to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Inquiry into Payment Times and Practices

Australia should undertake domestic economic reforms to underpin competition and openness which are not only in its own interests but also allow us to lead international reform by example and to enhance the credibility of our international advocacy.

Download: Submission To The Foreign Policy White Paper Taskforce

To get the best outcomes for both our economy and our society, government spending must deliver net social benefits.

Download: Business Council Better Budgeting Submission

The Business Council believes that PRRT has worked appropriately to date and no changes should be pursued without a clear, demonstrable net benefit from doing so. The potential for policy reversals to jeopardise future investment is of serious concern.

Download: Letter to the Inquiry into Corporate Tax Avoidance and Minimisation

Submission: The Budget should set out a responsible five-pronged strategy to promote stronger growth, better services and increased value from government spending, with the ultimate goal of achieving higher community living standards.

Link: Media Release: Break The Budget Deadlock Or Suffer The Consequences

Download: 2017-18 Budget Submission: Better Services, Better Value

Submission: Our energy system is the cornerstone of our economy powering our industries, our cities and our homes. And so we must get our energy supply right, but at the moment we’re not.

Download: Submission to the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market

Link: Media Release: Australia Needs Clear, Stable Policy To Deliver Secure, Reliable, Affordable Power

The Business Council supports strengthening Australia's whistleblower protection regime for individuals reporting credible information about corporate misconduct.

Download: Submission To The Review Of Tax And Corporate Whistleblower Protections In Australia

The PRRT has worked appropriately to date. No changes should be pursued without a clear, demonstrable net benefit from doing so.

Download: Submission to the Review of the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax

The Business Council’s submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee on the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Misuse of Market Power) Bill 2016.

Download: Submission to the Senate Economics on the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Misuse of Market Power) Bill 2016

The Business Council's submission on the Interim Report of the Australian Consumer Law review recognises the importance of an effective consumer protection law but cautions against new regulatory interventions.

Download: Submission on the Interim ACL Review Report

The recommendations put forward by the Commission are far reaching and would need careful design to avoid incurring unintended, perverse consequences.

Download: Submission: Response To PC Draft Report On Data

Reinforcing the importance of a coherent national climate change and energy policy framework.

Download: Submission To The New South Wales Climate Change Policy Framework

This is the Business Council's submission to the AIIB's Energy Strategy Issues Note.

Download: Submission to AIIB Energy Strategy

Reinforcing the importance of a coherent national climate change and energy policy framework.

Download: Submission to the Queensland Renewable Energy Target Expert Panel

Adopting principles of choice and competition in human services like health is the right, high-level approach.

Download: Submission to the Productivity Commission Review of Human Services

This is a joint submission from the Australian Industry Group and the Business Council of Australia to the Senate inquiry into the VET Student Loans Bills.

Download: Joint submission to the Senate inquiry into VET Student Loans Bills

This is the Business Council’s submission to the COAG Energy Council on the review of the limited merits review framework in the National Electricity Law and the National Gas Law.

Download: Submission to CoAG Energy Council Review of Limited Merits Review Regime

The Business Council of Australia supports the Australian Government’s decision to ratify the Paris Agreement.

Download: Submission to Joint Standing Committee on Treaties Inquiry into the Paris Agreement

The Business Council has made a combined submission to Treasury and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Download: Business Council Submission on Competition Law Reforms

Link: Misuse of market power law must get the words rights

This is the Business Council’s submission to the Federal Government’s discussion paper on the redesign of VET FEE-HELP.

Download: Redesigning VET FEE-HELP

The Business Council strongly supports trade and investment liberalisation. Open markets deliver material benefits to consumers through greater competition and access to a greater variety of goods and services.

Download: Submission to Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade References Committees Inquiry into the Trans Pacific Partnership

The Business Council has recommended the Senate pass the Enterprise Tax Plan Bill without amendment to lay foundations for future growth.

Download: Business Council Submission to the Senate Inquiry on Enterprise Tax Plan Bill

The Business Council has recommended the Senate to pass the Income Tax Relief Bill without amendment.

Download: Business Council Submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Income Tax Relief Bill

This is the Business Council of Australia’s submission on the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET).

Download: Victorian Renewable Energy Auction Scheme

Technology, uses of data and community attitudes to data are evolving rapidly. The speed of change poses a challenge for regulation to be relevant, fit for purpose and aligned with community expectations.

Download: Submission to the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Data Availability and Use

The Business Council has made a submission to the Productivity Commission’s draft report into intellectual property arrangements. The draft report contains substantive recommendations that cover the entire intellectual property system.

Download: Submission to the Productivity Commission's Draft Report on Intellectual Property Arrangements

This is the Business Council of Australia’s submission to the Australian Government Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand’s Issues Paper consulting on the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) Review.

Download: Submission to the Australian Consumer Law Review

The Business Council has made a submission to the Federal Government’s Ministerial Forum on Vehicle Emissions, offering in-principle support for further consideration of a range of measures that could reduce passenger vehicle emissions.

Download: Submission to Vehicle Emissions Discussion Paper

This submission emphasises the potential contribution that expanding Australia’s involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle could make to Australia’s economic growth.

Download: Submission to Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission

This submission to the Senate Inquiry into Unconventional Gas outlines our support for a stable, efficient and evidence-based regulatory environment for responsible gas development.

Download: Submission to the Senate Inquiry on Unconventional Gas Mining

The Business Council welcomes the Senate’s inquiry into the emerging issue of Carbon Risk Disclosure and notes that this is an area that will continue to develop over the medium to long term.

Download: Submission to Senate on Carbon Risk Disclosure

The Business Council’s submission to this process did not support setting higher targets for 2030 at this point in time.

Download: Submission on the Australian Labor (APL) Emissions Reduction Target

The Business Council’s submission urges the government to focus their response on ensuring all providers comply with the VET standards and Training Package requirements.

Download: Submission Quality of Assessment in Vocational Education and Training

The Business Council’s submission broadly supported the CCA’s principles and approach but suggested a number of other factors that the CCA should note.

Download: Submission on the Climate Change Authority (CCA) Special Review: Australia's Climate Policy Options

Efficient provision and use of infrastructure, including transport infrastructure, is critical to meet the needs of a growing Australian population and economy.

Download: Submission on the Role of Transport Connectivity on Stimulating Development and Economic Activity

Download: Securing Investment in Australia's Future - Infrastructure Funding and Financing

Government support for research and development is a critical component in the Australian innovation system. The incentives that they provide have a powerful impact on businesses in Australia, both small and large.

Download: The Incentive to Innovate: How BCA Members Innovate in Australia and Their Experience with the R&D Tax Incentives

The Tax Transparency Code will be an important addition to Australia’s already robust suite of tax integrity measures, and the Business Council will encourage member companies to adopt it.

Download: Submission to The Board of Taxation's Tax Transparency Code Consultation Paper

This submission maintains the Business Council’s view that section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 works as intended and should not be amended.

Download: Submission on Options to Strengthen the Misuse of Market Power Law

Changes to the company tax system should be assessed on their merits, rather than with the narrow view of funding a reduction in the company tax rate.

Download: Submission to Inquiry into Tax Deductibility