Spotlight on productivity: What the Prime Minister's new roundtable could mean for SA businesses

South Australian Business News

Kendall Crowe

Wednesday, June 18th 2025

Last week, the Prime Minister announced a new Productivity and Growth Roundtable to be held in Canberra this August, which will put productivity squarely back on the national agenda.

After a decade of sluggish productivity and a 1% drop in the past year alone, this move has been welcomed by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the South Australian Business Chamber.

Why does this matter? Because lifting productivity is key to growing our economy, creating jobs, and helping businesses — like yours — get ahead.

We’re hopeful that this roundtable will give businesses a stronger voice in shaping smarter policies. While the Federal Government hasn’t shown interest in full-blown tax reform, there may still be room for practical, business-friendly changes. For example:

Making the instant asset write-off permanent — Right now, this useful tax break for small businesses is renewed year-to-year, often at the last minute. Locking it in permanently would give businesses the confidence to invest in new equipment, technology, and tools, boosting productivity along the way.
Reducing planning approval time — Removing duplication of federal, state and local government requirements; streamlining the number of agencies dealing with the same project to a single source; consistent state-wide planning codes; fast-tracking environmental and heritage assessments and prioritising essential service infrastructure.
Updating the definition of “small business” under workplace laws — Currently, only businesses with fewer than 15 employees are considered “small” under the Fair Work Act. ACCI is pushing to increase that threshold to 25 employees, which would help more businesses avoid some costly workplace regulations.

We’ll keep you updated as the Roundtable approaches and let you know how you can get involved or share your perspective. As always, ACCI and the SA Business Chamber will be making sure your voice is heard. If you have ideas or lived experience examples to share, you are welcome to email our Policy and Advocacy Team at policy@sabusinesschamber.com.au.