NSW Business Chamber has congratulated incoming NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell, on his party's historic win in Saturday's State Election.
“This is a comprehensive victory and indicates strong community support for a real change of direction in NSW – and it is also a real rejection of the ‘business as usual’ approach to politics in this state," said Stephen Cartwright, CEO of NSW Business Chamber.
“The immediate impact of the change of government will be a lift in business confidence, particularly as it relates to working with the Government. In recent years, the regularly changing priorities, personnel changes and the start-stop approach to portfolios like transport have all dented the confidence of business in working with the State Government.
“The challenge before the new Government is to deliver results that match the strength of the mandate. The new Government also has to shift the focus of decision making away from the 24 hour news cycle to the longer term and bigger issues facing NSW.
“In recent months, NSW Business Chamber through its NSW Deserves Better campaign, has argued that the State could do so much better – now Barry O'Farrell must deliver the better outcomes he has promised.
"The new Government needs to move quickly on implementing its agenda.
Mr Cartwright said that in the first hundred days of the new government he wanted to see action in five key policy areas:
1. Commence the Commission of Audit – and get government spending under control;
2. Sign up to Julia Gillard's Federal harmonisation of OH&S – and create a fair workplace safety system in NSW;
3. Appoint a Small Business Commissioner – so that there is a champion for small business within government;
4. Establish Infrastructure NSW – and get the politics out of infrastructure, build projects on merit and not where the votes are; and
5. Produce the first report card on the progress of the Pacific Highway upgrade and accelerate completion of this important piece of economic infrastructure.
"These priorities reflect the thrust of our 10 Big Ideas to Grow NSW
"We believe the Commission of Audit can provide major savings to improve the Budget position and increase funding for infrastructure and services.
"The establishment of Infrastructure NSW will ensure greater accountability and certainty around infrastructure decisions – and end the start-stop mentality to infrastructure projects.
"The Small Business Commissioner has the potential to become a real advocate for small business within government and a champion of and for the sector.
"Kristina Keneally's decision to junk national harmonisation of OH&S represented the worst in government decision making. It was a decision rightly attacked by Prime Minister Gillard and we support NSW signing up to this national process.
"Too many people have died on the Pacific Highway whilst all levels of government have dragged their feet – we believe the best way to speed up construction of the Pacific highway is for the government to issue regular report cards on progress.
"Over the past four years, business has developed a strong working relationship with the leadership of the new government including Barry O'Farrell, Andrew Stoner, Mike Baird, Gladys Berejiklian, Don Page, Adrian Piccoli and Greg Pearce, and we look forward to working with them in the coming term.
Mr Cartwright said business was also keen to work with the new Opposition in the coming years.
"I believe that you get the best performance from Government when there is an effective opposition. One of the lessons of this election is that Labor stopped governing in the broader public interest and became beholden to the trade union movement. Labor needs to re-establish its links to the broader community and that includes business. Business extends an open hand to NSW Labor in re-establishing those community linkages."