The state’s peak business lobby has given a glowing endorsement of Jay Weatherill’s stated ambition to “reconnect”, revealing the State Government has adopted almost half of Business SA’s recommendations from last year’s pre-election charter.

The charter contained 75 proposals “for a more prosperous South Australia”. Business SA’s director of policy Rick Cairney said 19 of those had already been achieved 18 months after Labor was unexpectedly returned to power, with another 12 in progress.

“We hold the Government to account regardless of political persuasion, but we’ll also recognise where Governments have done the right thing,” Cairney told InDaily.

“Jay Weatherill said he wanted to reconnect with business – from our perspective, he has.”

One of the 19 items ticked off, scrapping the so-called car park tax was not a Government achievement, but the result of the Opposition and crossbenchers opposing the plan.

But Cairney says Weatherill has “looked at what we’ve put up” and “embraced” much of the business agenda.

“We think the Government has reconnected with business, and obviously want to see that continue,” he said.

He cited the recently announced northern connector project as a key infrastructure priority, “because agricultural goods are still the biggest part of our exports”.

He also emphasised the importance of the Northern Adelaide irrigation scheme, “that will give usable wastewater to agricultural businesses”.

“We think it could open up 3600 hectares of agricultural land in the north,” he said.

On the negative side, Cairney noted that “payroll tax is still a big issue”, despite the Government baulking at further reform after its recent tax review.

Cairney said Business SA would continue to advocate for Labor to revisit the issue.

“Yeah, of course we are, because it needs to be done,” he said.

“If you look at the sorts of things our members keep saying, payroll tax is always an issue.”

Business SA 2014 Charter items ticked off:

• Reduce the number of other State taxes and charges affecting business (stamp duty on business transfers and non-quotable marketable securities)
• Provide sufficient support to the Industry Participation Advocate
• Refocus Govt policy to give priority to the contribution of food production
• Collaborate with Commonwealth Government and key industry players – auto manufacturing sector
• Amend 30 year plan for Greater Adelaide to specify the Primary Production Priority Area
• Confine State Government industry policy programs to area of market failure
• Retain the Gateway Business Program
• Lobby Commonwealth Government to expand Tradestart service
• Prioritise remaining infrastructure required to achieve North-South transport corridor
• Target the Port Adelaide and Outer Harbour tram link
• Facilitate increased Transit Orientated Development (TOD) in Greater Adelaide
• Ensure there are no barriers to development of the remote Cooper Basin for shale gas reserves
• Lead the debate of a nuclear energy industry in South Australia to take advantage of the State’s significant uranium resources
• Collaborate with electricity network operators to facilitate investment in a smart electrical grid,
• Lobby the Commonwealth Government to mandate a shift from volume to cost reflective tariff structures for electricity distribution charges
• Abolish the Office of the Employee Ombudsman.
• Replace the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986
• Continue to support South Australia’s status as a regional area for employer sponsored visas. In addition, continue to support conditions placed on some of the temporary and provisional skilled visas
• Not proceed with the planned introduction of a Transport Levy (Car park Tax)

In progress:

• Promote business led trade missions in order to capitalise on long established networks via international chambers of commerce.
• Ensure an appropriate focus on regional infrastructure requirements given the substantial contribution the regions make to South Australia’s Gross State Product
• Work with the gas industry to construct a policy which places the onus on gas project proponents to establish how they will cater for South Australia’s domestic gas market
• End the Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) by no later than 31 December 2017
• Conduct an independent review of the Codes of Practice and guides under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012
• Conduct an independent review of Skills for All to identify areas for improvement
• Encourage greater investment in water supply infrastructure that is independent of the River Murray, such as wastewater recycling and stormwater harvesting.
• Continue to take action through the Premier’s Climate Change Council to help businesses transition to a low carbon economy.
• Focus on creating sustainable jobs which will increase the retention of locally educated and skilled people and attract more expatriates back to South Australia.
• Ensure all State Government appointed board and committee members are chosen through a transparent and accountable merit based process.
• Consult with businesses regarding all policy and legislative changes that have the potential to impact them.
• Rationalise the Public Sector by abolishing permanent tenure, reducing the number of boards and departments and addressing any duplication or gaps in departmental functions and responsibilities.