Monday, 24 February 2020
The South Australian Business Chamber is calling for the State Government to expedite its infrastructure program; implement a Hydrogen for Business program to allow businesses to scope out future use in their operations; consider an uninterrupted cycling, walking and running path circumnavigating the Park Lands; and bid for a Formula E event in a 16-point, 2020 – 21 State Budget submission to meet Growth State objectives.
The South Australian Business Chamber Chief Executive Martin Haese said there was increasing uncertainty around the economic impact of COVID-19 and accepted there would be growing pressure on the State Budget.
While the situation is rapidly evolving, the South Australian Business Chamber implores the government to strongly consider economic support measures.
Mr Haese said there needed to be a clear pipeline of major economic infrastructure projects as part of the State Government’s 20-year Infrastructure Strategy, including regional projects such as the Augusta Highway duplication and sealing the Strzelecki Track, to provide jobs and stimulate the economy.
“Confidence is still fragile, and the 2020 – 21 State Budget provides an opportunity for the Government to reset its relationship with the business community following highly-contentions land tax reforms and ongoing external threats, such as COVID-19,” Mr Haese said.
He said there was a growing need to provide practical assistance to help businesses adapt to climate change to the meet the State Government’s 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero carbon by 2050, and to benefit from SA’s word-leading position on renewables.
“Policies and programs, such as a Hydrogen for Business initiative, should also work to ensure our value-adding economy can thrive in a low-carbon environment, with incentives and programs to encourage local businesses to explore options for the future uptake of hydrogen within their operations,” he said.
“Businesses constantly tell us about their energy and water needs, along with rising prices, and we need to be able to do more to support their transition as the economy adapts to climate change.”
The South Australian Business Chamber also supported a new, uninterrupted city running, cycling and walking loop linking the Park Lands to boost tourism, along with a fully-integrated cycling trail linking the Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale.
“We also need to attract more business and tourism events to South Australia, such as hosting a Formula E motorsport race leveraging off our renewables credentials,” he said. To stimulate advanced manufacturing and tech industries, the state could also enhance business and university linkages with incentives for employing STEM PhD graduates.
