Labor’s economic roundtable is shaping up to be another PR stunt, including a session on trade that includes virtually none of Australia’s biggest exporters.
Shadow Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism, Kevin Hogan, said business leaders are telling him they want real reform, not a PR exercise.
“Leaving exporters out of a key trade discussion shows the Government is not serious about outcomes,” he said.
“This roundtable has Unions, CEOs, some Industry bodies, but virtually no businesses that directly sell Australian goods to the world.
“Those companies who actually sell Australian goods to the world should be at the centre of that conversation.
“Many business leaders also fear the roundtable will be used to justify new taxes.”
Mr Hogan said increasing taxes is not economic reform.
“It slows growth, kills investment, and makes Australia less competitive. You can’t tax your way to prosperity.
“If this roundtable is to succeed, it must back reforms that grow the economy, and rule out higher taxes that punish the very people who drive our wealth.”
