2018 State election regional PRIORITIES

Transcription

1 2018 State election al PRIORITIES

2 Victorian election 2018: The Victorian Chamber s Top REGIONAL Priorities 2 1 Commit to deliver key road and rail transport infrastructure projects to improve travel for al business and all Victorians 2 Increase the payroll tax threshold to $850,000 and improve the operating environment for al business 3 Increase al apprenticeships and traineeships through a public campaign to promote their value 4 Strengthen Victorian Industry Participation Policy to maximise al content in Victorian projects and expenditure 5 6 Grow al exports and supply chains 7 Provide $200 million to advance Victoria s high value, globally competitive industries 8 Provide a safe and secure al business environment Lift the moratorium on onshore conventional gas exploration to help reduce al energy costs 2018 State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES stronger business stronger victoria

3 The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry s 2018 State Election priorities to grow REGIONAL business and grow jobs Contributing $72 billion to the Victorian economy each year and employing more than 600,000 people, Victoria s s are vital to the growth and prosperity of the State. The next State Government must make accelerated al economic, investment and employment growth a priority. Victoria s s have done well to adjust to new challenges and opportunities over the past decade. They have demonstrated resilience in the face of changing economic circumstances. Most have experienced overall positive growth in employment. Many have successfully expanded into new markets at home and abroad. Local economies continue to diversify. While the potential for further economic growth is strong, more needs to be done to ensure this growth is deep, wide and sustainable. Stronger Business Stronger Victoria sets out the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry s priorities to build on the State s already strong al base and grow business and grow jobs. On behalf of Victoria s al businesses, the Victorian Chamber calls on all political parties to commit to our election priorities. The priorities have been developed by al business for al business. They have been shaped and informed by member input, including extensive consultation across the State as part of the Victorian Chamber s 2017 Victoria Summit. If adopted, they will build a stronger Victorian economy with higher living standards for all. stronger business stronger victoria 2018 State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES 3

4 1 2 Commit to deliver key road and rail transport infrastructure projects to improve travel for REGIONAL business and all Victorians Increase the payroll tax threshold to $850,000 and improve the operating environment for al business Commit to a scoping study for Ballarat and Geelong fast rail links with Melbourne. Finalise a site for Melbourne s third airport. Complete the North-East Link to support the transport of al products around the State and to the Port of Melbourne. Fund Stage 2 of the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan. Upgrade strategically significant roads, intersections and bridges used by important al industries like agribusiness in getting their goods to market. Develop a comprehensive population plan that ensures Victoria s s share the prosperity associated with the growth of the State s population. Make strategic investments in Victoria s rural water infrastructure such as those being undertaken as part of the Macalister Irrigation District modernisation program. Explore the feasibility of reversing the flow of the Sugarloaf pipeline to provide water security to towns and communities in both directions. Fast-track the progression of the Avalon Airport Master Plan. Commit to and implement the individual al infrastructure and project priorities identified on page 10. Increase the payroll tax threshold to $850,000 from 1 July Retain the lower payroll tax rate of 3.65 per cent available to eligible al employers. Reintroduce payroll tax exemptions for eligible new apprentices and trainees, as currently exists in NSW, QLD, WA 1 and Tasmania. Provide a 25 per cent discount on stamp duty applying to commercial and industrial properties located in al Victoria. This will save al businesses around $20 million per annum and encourage businesses to set up or relocate in al areas. Establish a series of Enterprise Zones across al and metro Victoria, offering tax concessions, infrastructure incentives and reduced regulations to attract investment and grow jobs. Repeal the Grand Final eve public holiday and the Easter Sunday public holiday. Undertake an independent review of the licences, registrations, certifications, permits or approvals impacting on al business. Significantly reduce their number and complexity. 1 From 1 December 2017 the exemption for trainees will be restricted to new employees with annual wages of $100,000 or less State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES stronger business stronger victoria

5 3 Increase al apprenticeships and traineeships through a public campaign to promote their value Fund a dedicated communication campaign to attract young talent and improve the image of apprenticeships in priority al industries including agribusiness, tourism and hospitality, education and health services. Continue to provide funding to support labour force adjustment and transition strategies in s experiencing economic decline. The objective must be to link latent workforce capacity in declining al towns with employment opportunities in neighbouring s characterised by emerging and/or high growth industries. Encourage al TAFEs to work more closely with major al employers and clusters of smaller enterprises to deliver training that is tailored to the needs and characteristics of local businesses (for example, the energy, oil and gas sector in Gippsland, the dairy industry in Colac and the fruit industry in Wangaratta). Improve student accommodation across the State, facilitating affordable close to campus and on campus options. Improve financial support for students moving to al universities. This is needed to help address the fact that less than 20 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 in al Australia reach degree level, compared to 42 per cent in metropolitan areas. Stronger marketing is therefore needed to attract more international students to the s. Create a centralised online portal to link higher education students to al employers with information on available internships, post study placements, research and training projects. Address barriers to apprenticeship completion and provide more support to al apprentices that drop out of training to help them either complete their training with another employer or transition into new training. Continue to invest in improving mobile coverage and connectivity for commuters along major Victorian railway corridors including the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour rail lines which see more than 15.5 million passenger trips annually. stronger business stronger victoria 2018 State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES 5

6 State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES stronger business stronger victoria

7 4 5 Strengthen VictoriaN Industry Participation Policy to maximise al content in Victorian projects and expenditure Grow al exports and supply chains Amend current Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) to require Government departments and agencies to consider competitive local suppliers, including SMEs, when awarding contracts valued at $500,000 or more in al Victoria (compared to the current threshold of $1 million or more). Require all Government expenditure to prioritise local content and introduce a stronger requirement for Government departments and agencies to award contracts to al based companies, including SMEs, when tendering. Monitor progress in maximising local content in Victorian projects by requiring an annual report to be tabled in Parliament detailing how departments and agencies targeted Victorian businesses and what proportion of spending has been fulfilled in Victoria. Require major project contractors to demonstrate how they will prioritise Victorian suppliers, including through sub-contracting arrangements. Provide $5 million to deliver al small business training on how to access government procurement, including how to prequalify. Provide $25 million to deliver an Export Ready program for all businesses participating in a Government funded trade mission. Expand the program of targeted inbound and outbound trade missions with key markets and strengthen pre and post-mission support for participants to build longer term, trusted business relationships. Provide $25 million to pilot an industry led Supply Chain Development program that encourages large companies to work with small and medium sized al businesses within their supply chain, assisting them to build new networks and business opportunities, particularly in export markets. Provide targeted support to help small and medium sized al enterprises leverage the benefits of existing and emerging clusters. This could include the development of specific local industry participation plans, improved access to finance and business training support. Implement an online learning program to support al tourism and events businesses grow exports to Asian markets. Grow the Victoria Jiangsu Business Program (VJBP) to help al businesses develop new links, capabilities and mutually productive trade and investment opportunities with their counterparts in China. stronger business stronger victoria 2018 State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES 7

8 6 7 Lift the moratorium on onshore conventional gas exploration to help reduce al energy costs Provide $200 million to advance Victoria s high value, GLOBALLY competitive industries Lift the moratorium on onshore conventional gas exploration. Work with the Federal Government to ensure Australian gas fields can provide enough affordable gas for domestic industry and households. Establish a $20 million Energy Market Transition Fund to help medium sized businesses lower energy bills and improve productivity (e.g. energy audits, equipment upgrades, process improvements). Work with industry associations to create a single source of advice, or gateway, for business to access Government energy assistance which is currently spread across multiple departments and agencies. Work with the Commonwealth to implement a national emissions reduction mechanism to encourage investment in new generation energy sources and reduce energy prices. Boost the commercialisation of research in high growth sectors by providing grants of up to $50,000 per eligible business to partner with a Victorian university to innovate, diversify, improve productivity or take new products to market. Establish a series of Global Best Practice seminars to share and build best practice innovation, research, processes and practices within high growth sectors. Delivered by the private sector, the seminars would highlight the experiences of businesses who have overcome barriers to growth and are excelling domestically and internationally. Strengthen Invest Victoria s focus on and engagement with al Victoria. Strengthen investment in existing food clusters, and new ones, including the Geelong Seafood Cluster, Plenty Food Group, (formerly North East Food Cluster) and East Gippsland Food Cluster. Fund a $2 million pilot program to boost customer service training in Victoria s al tourism and hospitality industry. This funding would complement professional development programs like ATAP and help al tourism and venue operators meet increased demand and strengthen their customer experience, language and cultural awareness skills. Double the size of the Regional Events Fund to better support year-round visitation to al Victoria to deliver increased visitor nights and yield, with a particular focus on achieving growth in offpeak periods State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES stronger business stronger victoria

9 8 Provide a safe and secure al business environment Continue the current program of police recruitment and training to ensure a visible police presence in business areas. Fund Victoria Police to increase the focus on crime prevention and community policing through business partnerships, helping police to better understand business concerns, target crime prevention activities and reduce the likelihood of offending. Increase public transport safety by extending Victoria Police Protective Services Officers operating times in high risk areas. Continue to install and monitor CCTV cameras in high risk locations. Provide training and support for businesses to help them manage and improve staff and customer safety from crime on their business premises. stronger business stronger victoria 2018 State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES 9

10 PRIORITIES FOR VICTORIA S REGIONS Stronger Business Stronger Victoria calls on all political parties to support a range of individual al priorities. These are: Mildura Commence the second stage of the Murray Basin Rail Project to improve Victoria s freight network and provide the with more efficient rail freight services and activities Return passenger rail services to Mildura Fund Stage 2 of the Mildura Riverfront Precinct Redevelopment Commence the Loddon South West Pipeline and Mitiamo Pipeline to enable the diversification of agricultural enterprise Progress the Redevelopment of Benetook Avenue as a truck bypass route Ballarat Fast-track the Ballarat Station Precinct redevelopment Complete the Ballarat Link Road (Stage 1B Construction of the Rail Overpass of the Ballarat-Ararat railway and a new roundtable at the intersection of Ballarat Link Road/re-aligned Blind Creek Road) Progress key priorities under the Central Highlands Regional Partnership: Complete Stage 2 of the Ballarat Line Upgrade Fund the Connecting Regional Communities Program to support broadband trials, digital agricultural applications and minimise blackspots Bendigo Fund Stage three of the Bendigo Airport redevelopment to deliver a contemporary business park to allow for existing businesses to expand and new businesses to be established Progress the development of the Marong Business Park Progress the planning for the Greater Bendigo Public Space Project to support a more liveable environment for the community, preserve space for natural areas and wildlife, and promote tourism Mildura BALLARAT BENDIGO HUME Hume (Wodonga and Shepparton) Fund the full 36km four lane Shepparton Bypass to provide a fully duplicated highway from Shepparton to Melbourne Progress a rail freight link to the Goulburn Valley Freight and Logistics Centre (GV Link) in Shepparton Commence the Wodonga CBD Revitalisation Project Progress the Rutherglen Bypass on the Murray Valley Highway Improve water and telecommunications (ICT) infrastructure GREAT SOUTH COAST GEELONG GIPPSLAND Great South Coast Fund Stage 2 of the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan Commence the Colac Bypass and the building of additional passing lanes between Warrnambool and Colac to enhance the efficiency of the Princess Highway Commence the Warrnambool Line Upgrade and the Surf Coast Rail Project Commence Stage 2 redevelopment of the Warrnambool Base Hospital Geelong Region Upgrade freight connections from the Geelong Ring Road to the Port of Geelong Fast-track the progression of the Avalon Airport Master Plan Progress the development of the Moolap site and the planning for the Point Henry redevelopment Ensure Stage 2 of the development of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre is completed on time and on budget Gippsland Finalise a site for a new airport in Melbourne s southeast, maximising opportunities for private sector investment Complete the duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale and fund the Traralgon Bypass Progress to Stage 2 of the Macalister Irrigation District modernisation program Complete commuter amenity upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, Moe and Trafalgar stations under the Gippsland Rail Corridor Station Upgrade Program State election REGIONAL PRIORITIES stronger business stronger victoria

11 The adoption of the Victorian Chamber s 2018 State Election priorities will create stronger al businesses and a stronger Victoria. Stronger Business Stronger Victoria will generate direct and indirect benefits that see Victoria s al future characterised by: Rising output and employment. Increased al business competitiveness. Stronger al vocational and training outcomes with more apprentices and trainees. More al content in Victorian projects and expenditure. Lower energy costs. Victoria s s representing a larger share of State and national trade and investment. Stronger al tourism visitation and spending. More ally based high value, globally competitive industries. Increased al liveability, not only through better infrastructure and rising incomes associated with business and jobs growth, but a safer and more secure environment.

12 victorianchamber.com.au facebook.com/victorianchamber twitter.com/vicchamber linkedin.com/company/victorianchamber Authorised by Mark Stone AM, Chief Executive, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 150 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria Printed by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2018 DISCLAIMER: This document was prepared by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. From time to time, and on the basis of new information and research, the Victorian Chamber will update its policies and recommendations. While the Victorian Chamber has endeavored to provide accurate, reliable research and analysis, it will not be held liable for any claim by any party utilising this information. POL_Feb18