On 18 March, more than 140,000 micro, small and medium-sized business owners, operators and their employees will be voting in the most unusual South Australian election for decades.

As the state’s peak Chamber of Commerce and Industry, our staff speak to a large number of these businesses constantly. We’ve heard their concerns and we know what they want from the next government. We would like to make it easier for you – Mr Weatherill, Mr Marshall and Mr Xenophon – to meet their needs so they can grow our economy and give our kids jobs.

So, here’s our wish list for the coming four years - we hope you can help.

 

1. Power. The state needs cheaper power, and it needs to be reliable, giving our businesses certainty they can operate profitably when the wind isn’t blowing, the sun isn’t shining or if it’s 45 degrees. We cannot afford any more blackouts or days when wholesale costs top $14,000 per Megawatt hour, and we can’t afford businesses moving interstate because operating costs are much more affordable elsewhere.
2. Tax. Whether it’s called a ‘levy’ or a ‘tax’, we need a regime which makes South Australia the most competitive place to do business. But if can’t be the most competitive, let’s at least be close to it.
3. Public Sector. The public sector should assist and enable business to grow, not tie them up in expensive and draining red tape. And, given its comparative size when benchmarked with other states, the public sector should not act as the state’s largest and most expensive job creation scheme.
4. Infrastructure. South Australia needs infrastructure that enables our economy to grow. Getting our goods and services to market easier and cheaper should be the priority, not projects to shore up votes in marginals.
5. Workplace Relations. While recent reforms were a large improvement, employers want to see further reductions in Return to Work premiums – an important part of the affordability of creating those extra jobs.
6. Industry. We want to see a government that will focus on areas of market failure, doesn’t compete with private industry while being subsidised with taxpayer dollars, or try to pick winners, and allow businesses to get on with doing what they do best.
7. Skills and Training. Business SA wants to ensure VET providers and tertiary educators have the tools to anticipate future workforce needs, so business and industry have access to an adequate and appropriately-qualified workforce. Without the right skills targeted to growth sectors, we cannot compete with other states or leverage huge opportunities like Defence.
8. Trade. Further growing South Australia’s exports and strategically focusing on the state’s areas of competitive advantage and profitable markets must be a priority – one of the fastest pathways to sustainable economic growth.
9. Water and the Environment. We need to reduce water costs, reminding all parties that our internationally-acclaimed wine, food and beverage sector is water-intensive. Emissions reductions policies need to align with national policy.
10. Population. Growing the state’s population is essential to ensure we have a strong economic future. Flat population growth means flat demand and it already affects nearly every sector of our economy.The party which best responds to the challenges facing small and medium-sized businesses is the party which will get their votes.

  The party which best responds to the challenges facing small and medium-sized businesses is the party which will get their votes.