Big 3 for Business
In late 2011, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland undertook a survey of businesses to identify their priorities in the run up to State and Local Government elections.
Small and medium business is the lifeblood of Queensland communities creating wealth, opportunity and employment for millions of Queenslanders each year, and represent 99 per cent of the state's business community.
It is crucial that issues affecting business are prioritised for all political parties, who then must act and be held accountable for their support of business in our state.
As an organisation we are determined that business issues highlighted by our members should be at the forefront of the political process, to ensure that the next State and Local Government's restore the potential for Queensland's economic growth.
The Big 3 for Business are:
- Deliver Better Economic and Fiscal Management
- Reduce Government Costs on Business; and
- Reduce Government Red Tape
The Outcome
On Saturday 24 March 2012, Queensland saw an unprecedented shift in the political landscape with the LNP coming to power in in the State Election. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) congratulated incoming Queensland Premier, Campbell Newman, on his party's historic win in the State Election.
This was a comprehensive victory and indicated strong community support for a real change in Queensland – and it was also a rejection of the recent Governance of this State.
Throughout the campaign CCIQ promoted ‘Big 3 For Business’, the business issues that our members said the next state government must address.
From the creation of the ‘Big 3 For Business’ report and website, through regional visits, social media campaigns and PR activity, CCIQ fought to ensure that our members’ voices were heard loud and clear by all political parties. And we achieved great results.
The success of this campaign can clearly be seen by the policies announced by the LNP.
The ‘Big 3 For Business’ called for:
- Better economic & Fiscal Management
- A Reduction in Government Costs on Business
- A Reduction in Government Red Tape
CCIQ had unprecedented success in effecting change in each of these areas. As an organisation we lobbied successfully on behalf of all Queensland business and delivered real commitments from the leadership of the LNP.
Queensland Premier, Campbell Newman MP, and his senior leadership team promised to CCIQ and all businesses that they will:
- Reduce red tape by 20%.
- Reign in Government expenditure.
- Increase the payroll tax exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.6 million.
- Scrap the commercial waste levy.
This was a great result for business and resulted in direct and indirect savings for the vast majority of Queensland businesses, resulting in greater confidence, opportunity and benefits for the whole of the economy and wider community.
Queensland businesses are looking to the State Government to now execute on their promising vision.