Media Releases September 2016

"The announcements today of the signing of the contract with DCNS to commence the design phase of the Future Submarine Program along with the choice of Lockheed Martin Australia to integrate the combat system into the new submarines is a major step forward in the delivery of this critically important project,” Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox said.

"All efforts should be taken at a local and national level to avoid a repeat of the considerable cost and inconvenience to business and the community from the critical power failure in South Australia," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox said today.

"The recommendations of the long-awaited '3F' Review of the Research and Development Tax Incentive contain risk and opportunity for Australian innovators, and the Government is right to allow further close public scrutiny before deciding on them," Australian Industry Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said today.

"In combination the changes proposed for incorporated and unincorporated small businesses with turnover of less than $10 million dollars and the phased reductions in the company tax rate from 30 per cent to 25 per cent would go a considerable way to improving the competitiveness of Australia's tax system; reducing our over-reliance on the highly inefficient tax base of business profits; improving the attractiveness of Australia as a destination for foreign investment; and lifting aggregate investment, employment, productivity and wages," Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox said.
 

Australia's ranking in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report slipped one place to 22nd in 2016-17, indicating a slight deterioration in national business competitiveness compared with last year. This performance equalled Australia's worst ranking of 22nd reached in 2014-15. Ai Group is the WEF partner organisation in Australia and collects the bulk of the local data for the survey.

Suggestions by consumer group Choice that confectionery companies are not doing their part in the Health Star Rating System are disingenuous, according to industry representatives.

Victorian businesses are paying a heavy penalty for Footy Friday according to a new survey of businesses conducted by Ai Group.

"The Acting Premier's visit to innovative Queensland manufacturer Breezway today has highlighted the value of the referral of the State's manufacturing industry to the Queensland Productivity Commission," Ai Group Queensland Branch Head, Jemina Dunn, said today.

"The claim by unions for paid domestic violence leave award entitlements has the potential to undermine the positive steps being taken by businesses to deal with this most important community issue,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, said today.

The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has congratulated the Victorian State Government on the successful lease on the Port of Melbourne for more than $9.7 billion.