Federal Finance Minister Katy Gallagher will host an ACT productivity roundtable to bring Canberra’s ideas to the national level. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Canberra will have its own productivity roundtable shortly before the federal one is held to ensure ACT interests are firmly on the national agenda.
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers is staging what is now being termed an ‘Economic Reform Roundtable’ over three days from 19 August.
The week before, however, ACT Senator Katy Gallagher will now host a similar forum specifically for the ACT.
Senator Gallagher will be attending the Treasurer’s national roundtable in her capacity as a Cabinet Minister and says she is keen to share views from the ACT roundtable at that national forum.
“It’s vital that Canberran voices are heard loud and clear as part of the national conversation happening on productivity and economic resilience,” Senator Gallagher said.
“We are convening the ACT Economic Reform Roundtable next month to bring together diverse voices from across our community, with an aim to address the economic challenges we collectively face.
“I know there’s no shortage of good ideas when it comes to what Canberrans want to see on the national economic agenda and I look forward to hearing what all of these community leaders share with us.”
The ACT forum will provide local businesses and stakeholders with an opportunity to raise issues directly with all of their Labor federal representatives.
Senator Gallagher will be joined by Labor’s three ACT members of the House of Representatives.
They aim to bring together local businesses, industry groups, NGOs and unions ahead of the national productivity roundtable.
Invites have already gone out to the Canberra Business Chamber, the Canberra Region Tourism Leaders Forum, Canberra Airport Group, Canberra Women in Business, Quantum Brilliance, Acorn Capabilities, Unions ACT, ACTCOSS, Communities at Work, Canberra Innovation Network, the Institute of Public Administration Australia – ACT Division, and Women’s Climate Congress.
Member for Fenner Andrew Leigh said Canberrans had a great deal to contribute to the national productivity roundtable.
“Productivity isn’t about working harder – it’s about working smarter,” Dr Leigh said.
“From clean energy startups to community services, Canberra is brimming with bright minds who know how to turn clever ideas into real-world gains.
“This roundtable is a chance to tap into that expertise, crowdsource good ideas, and ensure that Canberra’s experts are shaping the national agenda.”
Similar to the national roundtable, the ACT gathering is designed to encourage participants to talk openly about economic reform.
The focus will be on practical problem-solving, not ideology.
Member for Bean David Smith said it was important that voices from across our region are heard as part of the national conversation on economic reform.
Dr Chalmers has declared productivity the Federal Government’s first priority, saying Australia must address its two-decade-old productivity problem.
For his national roundtable, the Federal Treasurer said he was open to new ideas and fresh approaches.
He said he doesn’t want to be constrained by tired formulas, and that tax reform will definitely be on the table for discussion.
“Productivity is our primary focus,” he said.
“Too often it’s seen as a cold, almost soulless, concept, when it’s really the best way of making people better off over time, creating more opportunities, making our economy and our society more dynamic.
“By now, our shortage of productivity growth is well known and broadly understood.
“Almost every comparable country has the same challenge.
“Our own productivity problem hasn’t been with us for a couple of years; it’s been with us for a couple of decades.”
The national roundtable aims to build consensus on ways to improve productivity, enhance economic resilience and strengthen budget sustainability.
It too will bring together a mix of leaders from business, unions, NGOs and the public service.
Shadow Treasurer Ted O’Brien, who will attend the national roundtable, suggested the Federal Government was planning to raise taxes on business investment.
A leaked Treasury document has revealed the central department has advised the government to hike taxes and cut spending in order to fix the budget.
“I think it’s clear the government wants new taxes, and I think that’s one of the things we have to prosecute over this first sitting of the parliament,” Mr O’Brien told Sky News on Sunday (20 July).
“They’re definitely going after taxing capital. They’re going after taxing investment. They’re going after taxing companies.
“I believe they have an agenda to tax — there’s just no doubt about that.”
