'Standard practice': summiteers play down Treasury leak
Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday.
Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began.
"You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday.
"Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing."
The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates.
Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded.
"It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP.
"It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put."
The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted.
"Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled.
"I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said.
"What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do."
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform.
"It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP.
"Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment."
Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday.
If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone.
The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment.
Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making.
The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy.
That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector.
Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas.
Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday.
Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began.
"You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday.
"Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing."
The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates.
Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded.
"It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP.
"It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put."
The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted.
"Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled.
"I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said.
"What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do."
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform.
"It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP.
"Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment."
Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday.
If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone.
The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment.
Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making.
The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy.
That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector.
Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas.
Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday.
Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began.
"You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday.
"Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing."
The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates.
Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded.
"It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP.
"It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put."
The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted.
"Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled.
"I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said.
"What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do."
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform.
"It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP.
"Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment."
Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday.
If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone.
The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment.
Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making.
The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy.
That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector.
Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas.
Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday.
Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began.
"You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday.
"Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing."
The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates.
Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded.
"It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP.
"It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put."
The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted.
"Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled.
"I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said.
"What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do."
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform.
"It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP.
"Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment."
Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday.
If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone.
The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment.
Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making.
The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy.
That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Cafe owners, tradies could gain from cutting red tape
Australians could save more than $1 billion a year through lower costs, reduced delays and more choice under a sweeping plan to cut red tape. The Business Council of Australia has outlined a vision to relieve business owners from regulatory burdens as the federal government hunts for a solution to the nation's withered productivity. Cafe owners in Victoria are forced to apply for 36 separate licences and approvals before they can pour their first coffees and tradies on the Gold Coast must pay hundreds in permits just to fix a tap on the other side of the NSW border because of "unnecessary and inefficient regulation", the council's report found. Even a one per cent reduction in compliance burden would save consumers $1 billion per year. "We have become too complex a country in which to do business, and that's a massive handbrake on our ability to lift productivity and living standards," chief executive Bran Black said. "We need to be working smarter, not harder." The council's report made a plethora of recommendations aimed at improving regulations and making it easier to invest, employ people and do business. It urged Australia to harmonise anti-discrimination legislation, workers' compensation, and long-service leave entitlements across the states and territories. Streamlining occupational licences for workers who need specific accreditations to do their jobs will offer more mobility and allow workforces to more easily migrate to areas of need. Australia has already introduced a mutual recognition scheme for occupational licences, which has allowed more than 44,000 people to work interstate. But some occupations, like electricians and plumbers, are still exempt in several jurisdictions and Queensland does not participate in the scheme. The Business Council has also backed calls to reform Australia's main environment laws to streamline assessment and approvals while also strengthening environmental protections. Its recommendations could be considered when Treasurer Jim Chalmers convenes his economic roundtable on Tuesday. During the event, a range of experts are expected to discuss ways to lift living standards by boosting productivity, building resilience and strengthening the budget.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Cafe owners, tradies could gain from cutting red tape
Australians could save more than $1 billion a year through lower costs, reduced delays and more choice under a sweeping plan to cut red tape. The Business Council of Australia has outlined a vision to relieve business owners from regulatory burdens as the federal government hunts for a solution to the nation's withered productivity. Cafe owners in Victoria are forced to apply for 36 separate licences and approvals before they can pour their first coffees and tradies on the Gold Coast must pay hundreds in permits just to fix a tap on the other side of the NSW border because of "unnecessary and inefficient regulation", the council's report found. Even a one per cent reduction in compliance burden would save consumers $1 billion per year. "We have become too complex a country in which to do business, and that's a massive handbrake on our ability to lift productivity and living standards," chief executive Bran Black said. "We need to be working smarter, not harder." The council's report made a plethora of recommendations aimed at improving regulations and making it easier to invest, employ people and do business. It urged Australia to harmonise anti-discrimination legislation, workers' compensation, and long-service leave entitlements across the states and territories. Streamlining occupational licences for workers who need specific accreditations to do their jobs will offer more mobility and allow workforces to more easily migrate to areas of need. Australia has already introduced a mutual recognition scheme for occupational licences, which has allowed more than 44,000 people to work interstate. But some occupations, like electricians and plumbers, are still exempt in several jurisdictions and Queensland does not participate in the scheme. The Business Council has also backed calls to reform Australia's main environment laws to streamline assessment and approvals while also strengthening environmental protections. Its recommendations could be considered when Treasurer Jim Chalmers convenes his economic roundtable on Tuesday. During the event, a range of experts are expected to discuss ways to lift living standards by boosting productivity, building resilience and strengthening the budget.
West Australian
5 hours ago
- West Australian
Michaelia Cash: Anthony Albanese's Palestinian statehood push is a reward for terror
When Anthony Albanese announced that Australia would unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state, he claimed it was a 'practical contribution to peace'. It was nothing of the sort. It was a gift to Hamas, proof of which came just 48 hours later when Mr Albanese was praised by the terrorist group for his decision. When terrorists congratulate your foreign policy, you are doing something very wrong. The endorsement of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, co-founder of the terrorist group Hamas, of Mr Albanese's decision to recognise Palestine as a state should horrify all Australians. That's the same listed terrorist organisation responsible for the massacre of October 7, the kidnapping of hostages, and the ongoing rocket fire into Israel. You do not achieve peace by rewarding terrorists. All Australians should be appalled at the massive propaganda victory Mr Albanese has handed Hamas on a platter. Mr Albanese has been proven to be completely out of his depth on this vital foreign policy matter. He told Australians Hamas would reject his position to recognise a Palestinian state. The decision does not make the world a safer place, expedite the end of the conflict, deliver a two-state solution, see the free flow of aid, support the release of hostages or put an end to the terrorist group Hamas. Mr Albanese's decision is effectively unconditional recognition. It will go ahead in September, no matter what. Recognition before the hostages are freed, before Hamas is defeated, and before any security guarantees are in place is not diplomacy. It is dangerous naivety. It hands Hamas one of the strategic objectives they sought when they unleashed their campaign of terror in 2023. Recognition should come at the end of a genuine peace process, not at its beginning. It should be the culmination of negotiations in which both sides make real compromises, leading to a secure Israel and a secure Palestine living side by side. That was the bipartisan consensus in this country for decades. By breaking from that cautious, measured approach, Mr Albanese has abandoned the position that recognition must be conditional on the renunciation of terrorism, the release of hostages, and the recognition of Israel's right to exist. If recognition is to mean anything, it must be tied to clear, enforceable conditions. Mr Albanese himself has said these include: no role for Hamas in a future Palestinian state; full demilitarisation; recognition of Israel's right to exist in peace and security; free and fair elections; governance reform, financial transparency, and education oversight to prevent incitement to violence. But here's the problem: none of these conditions have been met. And worse still, Mr Albanese has given no timetable for when they must be. How will these conditions be enforced? What proof will be required? And if they are broken, will recognition be revoked, or will Labor simply turn a blind eye? These are basic questions any serious government would answer before making a major foreign policy decision. Mr Albanese has answered none of them. In truth, the Palestinian Authority, which Mr Albanese claims can deliver these guarantees, has a poor record of honouring its commitments. It has failed to comply with the Oslo Accords, continues to make payments to convicted terrorists and their families, and has not held proper elections in nearly 20 years. Worse, just last year, the Palestinian Authority signed the 2024 Beijing Declaration with Hamas, agreeing to form an interim unity government that would include Hamas, the very terrorists Labor now says will have 'no role' in a Palestinian state. Polling from the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research — based in Ramallah — shows about 40 per cent of Palestinians currently support Hamas. In Gaza, almost half still back them to govern. Recognising a Palestinian state now risks legitimising a terrorist organisation with significant public support, entrenching their power rather than isolating them. The US has been clear: it does not support unilateral recognition. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that similar recognition by France actually caused talks with Hamas to collapse. Mr Albanese should also answer a simple question: what state is he recognising? A state with no agreed borders? No single government in control of its territory? No demonstrated capacity to live in peace with its neighbours? Australians want the war in Gaza to end. So do I. But that will not happen because of a symbolic gesture from Canberra. It will happen only when the conditions for peace are in place — and that means removing Hamas from the equation entirely. Until then, recognition is not just premature. It is reckless. And the Albanese Government's decision will be remembered as a political gesture that rewarded terror, weakened our alliances, and made lasting peace harder to achieve.
