Chamber urges productivity reforms to drive business growth in Queensland

By Emma Clarke

Business Chamber Queensland is urging tangible action on productivity barriers ahead of the economic reform roundtable in Canberra this week, highlighting the critical need for reform to unlock business growth, boost competitiveness, and ensure resilience in a changing economic environment.

Queensland business and economic priorities will be front and centre of the federal roundtable kicking off tomorrow morning, with the state chamber of commerce leading strategic consultations and submissions in the lead up.

“We’re the state’s largest and most representative business body and working with businesses every day, we hear directly about the compounding constraints on productivity.  Our data shows productivity is a major concern for the Queensland business community with close to 70% of businesses ranking productivity among their most significant concerns and highest priorities,” CEO Heidi Cooper said.

Ms Cooper said Queensland businesses were looking to the roundtable for meaningful reform on some of their most pressing priorities: regulatory impact, costs including energy and insurance, international risks and export market support, workforce skills, attraction and retention, AI and tech development and tax reform.

“Queensland businesses want to grow, invest, and create jobs, but productivity barriers limit this potential. Our data shows regulatory burden, tax and cost pressures, skills and workforce constraints and approval delays are costing businesses precious time and resources. Addressing these issues must be at the heart of any reform agenda,” Ms Cooper said.

“Businesses told us approval gridlock was impacting business confidence, not just in housing, but in workforce planning. When approvals are unpredictable and slow, businesses can’t scale, plan for future demand, or hire with certainty.

“We also heard about the impact of regulation complexity on productivity; from industrial relations laws to insurance taxes and payroll obligations, businesses are spending more time navigating compliance than delivering value.”

Businesses also raised concerns about lack of incentive for investment and over regulation of new technologies.

“The risk is Australia is losing its edge in innovation and R&D by over regulating, rather than enabling growth,” Ms Cooper said.

Ms Cooper said the economic reform roundtable provided a unique opportunity to address some of these persistent challenges for businesses. 

“It is essential that the voice of business is heard and through our advocacy and consultation with roundtable representatives we have ensured Queensland business priorities will be part of this important discussion,” Ms Cooper said.

The chamber network will be strongly represented at the roundtable with Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO, Andrew McKellar, representing national business interests.

“We welcome the Federal Treasurer’s commitment to improving productivity across Australia and look forward to seeing positive business outcomes off the back of the roundtable,” Ms Cooper said.

“Targeted, business-focused economic reforms are essential to ensuring Australia’s future productivity, competitiveness, and resilience. Governments cannot deliver productivity in a top down manner, but they can create the conditions in which productive behaviour flourishes.

“Queensland businesses play a significant role in the nation’s economy, and they need the right policy settings, cost structures, and investment confidence to continue to do so.

“The economic reform roundtable is an opportunity for bold reform. We urge government and industry to act, so Queensland businesses, and our communities, can thrive.”