Chamber of Commerce Queensland and Industry Queensland

The State Government is currently reviewing Queensland's workers compensation system. Queensland's compensation premium is one of the few remaining areas where the state still has a competitive advantage.

The general thrust appears to be a double pronged problem of increasing common law claims coupled with poor investment performance. Unfortunately Queensland's workers comp premium finds itself in the firing line.

Queensland's Government needs to ensure that any upward movement in the levy is minimised, is short term, and does not jeopardise Queensland having the lowest levy in Australia.

Accordingly Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland will be opposing the recommendation to progressively over time increase the average premium rate. > Read more

Earlier this month Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland (CCIQ) hosted a lunch with Tony Abbott, Leader of the Federal Opposition.

Mr Abbott shared his vision on a number of issues that will form the cornerstone of the Coalition's platform heading into the Federal election this year. An overview of Tony's presentation is available by clicking the video link below.

Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland's role as an apolitical organisation is to facilitate and promote discussion on the important issues facing the Australian economy. We will be looking to run future events for the Queensland business community with federal, state and local governments.

Details of all upcoming events will be sent to members and listed on our website at www.cciq.com.au/events. If you, or someone you know wish to be notified of future events, please enter your details into our online enquiry form.

Ahead of the Premier's upcoming Growth Summit at the end of March, Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland has been working on a Population and Infrastructure Blueprint to ensure the views of Queensland businesses can be heard throughout this debate.

The Blueprint analyses concerns surrounding population growth and the success of Queensland Government's activities in addressing these concerns. The Blueprint also builds on the results of a CCIQ survey of 800 businesses to develop strategies and recommendations that will assist in addressing the concerns of the Queensland business community relating to population growth and infrastructure moving forward.

Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland members will receive a copy of the Blueprint in mid March. For further information please email policy@cciq.com.au.

The State Government introduced the Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 into Parliament earlier this month. The Bill aims to change the way land valuations are undertaken and would result in an increase in the land tax bill faced by property and business owners.

Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland President David Goodwin has written to the Premier expressing members' concern over the Bill and the significant competitive disadvantage it would create by considerably expanding our land tax base. CCIQ's correspondence stressed the need for more opportunity for industry to consult with government on the significant negative impacts that the Bill will have. The Premier has delayed discussion on the Bill, however it could be debated and passed by the State Parliament as early as 8 March.

It is essential that we get as much information to the State Government as we can to ensure this Bill is not passed. CCIQ is seeking feedback from members on the impact that this Bill would have on your business or your members. > Have your say now

In 2009, Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland released its Blueprint for Fighting Queensland's Over Regulation which revealed that excessive regulation was significantly impeding the Queensland economy and was stifling Queensland businesses' capacity to employ. The report recommended a seven point action plan for State Regulatory Reform and urged the Queensland Government to commit to a program that both removes unnecessary regulation (deregulation) and minimises the cost to business of necessary regulations (streamlining).

CCIQ has been working with the State Government to deliver the recommendations outlined in the Blueprint. In the near future, CCIQ is looking at hosting an industry forum (symposium) on this issue, and develop a number of case studies to demonstrate the real impact of red tape on Queensland businesses. We are seeking feedback from Committee members on the forum and who/what issue could be covered by a case study.

Under the Government's Shaping Smart Regulation Reform Agenda, regulatory simplification plans for agencies under phase 1 have been released in an effort to achieve a cost saving of $150 million per year by the end of 2012-13.

Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland has called on the Australian Government to now publicly release the report of the Henry Tax Review. The report was delivered to government prior to Christmas however it remains confidential until released along with an initial response from government.

Securing meaningful taxation reform will require a robust public debate about the merits of the recommendations of the Henry Tax Review. The sooner that debate commences, the more opportunity there will be to properly consider options for reform.

After an eighteen month consultation process, the business sector and the broader community remain unsure of the nature of the proposals that may flow from the Review. Over a period of several months, speculation has continued about possible recommendations. This creates some uncertainty amongst business and different industry sectors.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has released the Intergenerational Report 2010 which assessed the challenges Australia will face over the next 40 years, including an ageing population, escalating pressures on the health system, and the environmental and economic challenges of climate change.

Confirming that the population is projected to hit 36 million by 2050, up from just over 22 million today, the Intergenerational report suggests that the trend of population aging will place significant pressure on productivity, economic growth and government spending in Australia. > View report findings

Significant changes to the General Skilled Migration Program were announced on 8 February 2010 by Senator Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. The changes are aimed at delivering a demand rather than a supply driven skilled migration program that meets the needs of the economy in sectors and regions where there are skill shortages.

The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) and Skilled Occupation List (SOL) will be replaced with a new list of targeted occupations determined by 'Skills Australia'. As the new SOL will a comprehensive, targeted list, the current Critical Skills List will be phased out and revoked. The new SOL will come into effect from mid-2010 and will apply to all applicants lodging visa applications made on or after this date. > Read more

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