Business SA 2011 Charter Scorecard
The Business SA Charter Scorecard is an assessment of the State Government’s performance since the 2010 State Election. Prior to the 2010 Election, Business SA released A Charter for a Prosperous South Australia containing 81 recommendations covering the major issues affecting businesses in South Australia.
These recommendations fall under 13 key areas which are having an impact on the business community. The Government provided a response to each of the recommendations prior to the last election and these have been included in the Scorecard analysis. The recommendations that the Government disagreed with and where no progress has been made, have been excluded from the analysis. The Scorecard is an ongoing assessment and will be reviewed again in the lead up to the 2014 State Election.
Download the complete Business SA 2011 Charter Scorecard.
View the Overview Charter Scorecard flyer.
Taxation 3/10
South Australia has one of the most burdensome business tax systems in the nation, with a low threshold for both payroll and land tax. This reflects inefficiencies in Government administration and service delivery. Reform is necessary, both to taxes and Government operations. A low tax environment is vital for business to remain competitive, provide employment opportunities and facilitate a high standard of living. South Australia should have the nation’s most competitive business taxation system that minimises imposts on businesses, complexity, red tape and compliance costs. Read more.
Business assistance 7/10
Businesses have been under pressure recently, due to the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on demand and the ability to access finance. Confidence is recovering and it is imperative that the South Australian Government contributes to an environment in which businesses can thrive, employ more people and achieve sustainable growth. In particular, the State Government should not hinder or compete with business activity. Policies and programs should not involve handouts to individual businesses, but rather provide economic incentives to all industries across the South Australian economy. Read more.
Export assistance 6/10
International competitiveness is vital to a strong economy. Excessive government regulation and taxation is more acutely felt by exporters, as they are competing with businesses in other jurisdictions that operate under different regimes. The ability to export depends on capacity, capability and the cost competitiveness of the business. Government should promote increased international trade through improved domestic capacity, awareness and competitiveness. Read more.
Workplace relations 6/10
Recent changes to workplace relations laws are creating major challenges for businesses in an increasingly competitive trading environment. These changes have increased costs and uncertainty, which can hinder employment growth. All aspects of workplace relations should be nationally consistent, promote productivity and economic growth and create jobs that are sustainable. It must provide employers with the flexibility to manage and grow their businesses and, at the same time, protect the rights of workers. Read more.
Skills and workforce development 5/10
An education and training system that supplies workers with the knowledge, skills and personal attributes both now and in the future is vital for a strong economy. Workforce development practices that utilise and build on those qualities are needed to support technical innovation, workplace change and business growth. There should be a national education and training system. It must be innovative, resourceful, flexible and adaptable in order to effectively respond to emerging and changing skill requirements, so that skills shortages are minimised. The system must provide fair and effective quality assurance measures and protection for students, apprentices and trainees, and at the same time encourage investment, employment and education and training in South Australia. Read more.
Governance 6/10
Transparent and efficient governance is vital for providing an environment in which businesses can thrive and contribute to a strong State. South Australia is over-governed, which adds to compliance costs and results in excessive taxation. Urgent reform is required to the processes of governance – Parliament, voting procedures, Local Government and the Public Sector – to ensure they are transparent, responsible, effective and efficient and reflect democratic processes. Read more.
Population and migration 5/10
Population growth is a major driver of economic growth and it is vital that South Australia attracts a growing population. Both fertility rates and net overseas migration have increased sharply in the last few years. South Australia has an ageing population and high levels of migration are required to support population growth and to avoid skills shortages. Read more.
30 Year Plan 6/10
The 30-Year Plan for Greater Adelaide should ensure that Adelaide will be Australia’s most liveable city and the best city in Australia to conduct business. A long term plan is vital to ensure that a growing population is accommodated appropriately and adequate infrastructure is built in an economically and environmentally sustainable way. However, appropriate resources need to be allocated to ensure its successful implementation. Read more.
Infrastructure 6/10
To ensure South Australia meets the needs of businesses and a growing population, investment in infrastructure must be a high priority. Businesses in South Australia need access to high quality infrastructure, including roads, rail, ports and telecommunications. This will enable them to be competitive both within Australia and internationally. Priorities for infrastructure spending should be based on objective cost-benefit analysis to ensure a good return on investment. Public Private Partnerships can be utilised to minimise risks and maximise the private sector’s contribution to the State’s economic development. Read more.
Water 5/10
South Australia’s position at the end of the Murray-Darling system and the significant environmental degradation in the Murray mouth region makes it imperative that the State Government takes leadership on water security. The South Australian Government should urge the Commonwealth Government and all State Governments to treat the system as one, so that environmental flows are guaranteed, water is not over-allocated and allocated to inefficient uses, water can be traded across and within States to the highest value uses with minimal transaction costs and that water is used as efficiently as possible. Read more.
Energy 6/10
The reliable availability of low cost energy has been an important driver of competitive advantage for South Australian businesses. With a solid natural resource base in uranium, wind, sun and ‘hot rocks’, South Australia should lead the world in low emissions energy, such as renewable and nuclear, as well as energy efficiency. Energy supplies should become less carbon intensive and priority needs to be given to low emission technologies that are capable of producing baseload energy. Competitive forces and prices should drive investment in energy infrastructure – both generation and networks – and trends in energy use. Read more.
Climate change 5/10
Climate change is a major global challenge and minimising its impacts on South Australian businesses is paramount. A successful response to climate change will include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation, while still enjoying strong economic growth. International agreement is required to develop a robust global response to climate change. Australia should only commit to efforts to mitigate climate change that are comparative with major trading partners and which take into account economic circumstances. Read more.
Waste 4/10
South Australia should be the nation’s leader in waste management. The negative impact of waste should be minimised. There are numerous successful businesses in the waste management industry operating in South Australia. More appropriate regulatory and policy settings could further encourage growth in this industry, as well as result in better environmental outcomes. Read more.
