29 November 2007

Fed: Business keen to work with new Rudd government

CANBERRA, Nov 29 AAP - Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd's new ministerial line-up received a warm reception today from business leaders, who immediately lined up with a list of must-dos.

Mr Rudd confirmed that Wayne Swan and Lindsay Tanner will take on the two key economic roles of treasurer and finance minister, while his deputy Julia Gillard will be employment and workplace relations minister, portfolios they all held in opposition.

Ms Gillard also has been given eduction, while Mr Tanner will have the additional responsibility for business deregulation.

"The new Rudd ministry is a strong team with depth and talent and a balance between fresh faces and old hands," Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) chief executive Heather Ridout said.

"The incoming treasurer, Wayne Swan, has demonstrated as shadow minister a willingness to actively engage with business and an understanding of the global challenges we face - both qualities which will serve him well in his new position."

She said the Ai Group also looked forward to continuing to work constructively with Ms Gillard in her two key roles of education and workplace relations.

"As the prime minister-elect has stressed, these two areas are central to good economic management both in the short and medium term," Ms Ridout said.

"Adroit approaches will be very important if the Labor government's objectives are to be met."

Tony Howarth, AO, the newly-elected president of the country's largest business group, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), said he already had written to the new prime minister seeking an early meeting.

"ACCI congratulates Mr Kevin Rudd and his team in winning the election and ACCI looks forward to working with the new government," he said.

ACCI's chief executive Peter Hendy has had several run-ins with Mr Rudd when in opposition, particularly over the Howard government's controversial IR laws, but Mr Howarth said Mr Hendy had the full support of the ACCI board.

Australian National Retailers Association (ARNA) chief executive Margy Osmond said her members would be keen to make a contribution in the areas of competition policy and consumer affairs, now the responsibility of Assistant Treasurer-elect Chris Bowen.

She said ANRA also would be arguing the case for deregulation, especially in the light of the prime minister's election campaign commitments to end duplication and the blame game between the commonwealth and states.

"In particular we will be lobbying strongly for harmonisation of state and federal regulation in areas including payroll tax, food standards, occupational health and safety as well as trading hours.

"With Labor now in government federally and in every Australian state and territory, there is enormous potential to achieve results in the harmonisation of state and federal regulations."

The Finance Industry Council of Australia (FICA) said it would be keen to work with the new government to enhance Australia as a significant financial services hub, both in Asia and globally.

"FICA's policy agenda includes initiatives on taxation and financial sector regulation to reduce the cost of doing business in Australia and to attract foreign investment into Australian industry," FICA chairman Richard Gilbert said.