Jobless rate: Remove red tape to help drive economy
The peak body for the state’s biggest industry has seized on the latest unemployment data to underline the importance of making South Australia the best place in the nation to do business.
SA Executive Director of the Property Council Daniel Gannon said that the removal of red tape could help drive the economy and create employment opportunities.
“Removing red tape is a no-brainer if we want growth through innovation, a declining jobless rate and an attractive business environment,” he said.
“The latest unemployment data accentuates the important role this sector can play in turning South Australia’s economic fortunes around.”
Mr Gannon said South Australia’s trend unemployment rate has decreased from 6.7% in June to 6.6% in July, meaning South Australia leads the national rate of 5.7%.
“South Australia remains the worst jobs jurisdiction in the nation, and it’s this challenge that underlines the importance of cutting red tape to put more hard hats and steel caps on South Australian workers.”
South Australia’s largest private sector employer and biggest industry – property – has identified eight key recommendations to cut red tape and drive economic development. They are as follows:
- Implement prior recommendations of the Productivity Commission relating to SouthAustralia’s red-tape.
- Implement Harper competition policy reforms.
- Reform strata laws in line with NSW.
- Reform the methodology to extinguish easements.
- Reform the registration of change of titles fee.
- Release Minister’s Specification to allow adaptive reuse of existing building stock.
- Implement a competitive retail environment through the deregulation of shop trading hours.
- Reform South Australia’s utilities pricing regime to ensure our state’s competitiveness.
“First and foremost, the State Government should prioritise the implementation of Harper Review recommendations around competitiveness,” said Mr Gannon.
“Further – and complementing calls made by the business community – the Property Council recommends that the Government investigates the extremely high water and electricity prices in South Australia. This state has the least competitive water pricing in Australia.
“South Australia has a great story to tell, but first we must create compelling reasons for businesses to start-up and grow, and increase our state’s population to drive demand.”
Background information
Property is South Australia’s largest private sector employer and biggest industry, accounting for 10.8% of the state’s economic activity (or $10.5 billion).
It builds prosperity by paying $4.4 billion in wages and salaries – one in six people draw their wage directly or indirectly from property – and one million South Australians have a stake in property through their super funds.
Property is the largest single industry contributor paying 56.6% of state taxes, local government rates, fees and charges.
Media Contact: Daniel Gannon | E [email protected]