CCI Chief Executive James Pearson writes a column in the Business supplement of the West Australian newspaper every fortnight on issues facing WA business.
Work Safety tops my New Year’s Agenda
11 January 2012
I, like many people, have started the New Year by making resolutions to ensure this year is even better than the last. For some it is exercising more, drinking less, or taking less work home at night and on weekends.
A long To Do list for new Federal Government Ministers
14 December 2011
Christmas has come early for some of the Ministers in the Federal Government. New Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten is responsible for the promised review of the Fair Work Act in 2012. The review should be his first priority, and carried out by an independent authority such as the Productivity Commission.
Where would you invest your hard-earned money?
19 October 2011
Where would you invest your hard-earned money? Would you put it an investment that was likely to grow strongly or one that was likely to grow slowly?
Is this another missed opportunity for tax reform?
5 October 2011
Tax isn’t one of those topics that catches the imagination. Everyone recognises the importance of paying less tax but in most cases we don’t pay much attention when it’s being discussed.
Greater government intervention is not the answer to energy reform needs
21 September 2011
Premier Barnett’s plan for a re-merger in WA’s electricity system is a threat to WA businesses and households who need a secure, reliable, competitive and cleaner energy supply.
Policy-makers need to understand WA economic drivers
7 September 2011
It’s not often that the Reserve Bank Board meets in Perth. In fact, it’s been four years since this influential body has visited WA. For households and businessmen and women around the nation, the decision of the Board on whether to raise or lower interest rates, or leave them where they are, is a moment each month when we hold our breath.
Productivity has become the new buzzword
24 August 2011
For years now, even while Australia’s and Western Australia’s economy has grown, the productivity of our workforce has flat-lined.
Between a rock and a hard place
27 July 2011
CCI doesn’t often express sympathy for politicians. But I’m going to break the habit in response to a decision by the Premier last week.
Is politics becoming a policy free zone?
15 July 2011
It used to be said that good policy makes good politics. But recently it seems that when the issue gets tough, the politicians go missing.
This Friday, the Greens will take control of the balance of power in the Senate
29 June 2011
This Friday, the Greens will take control of the balance of power in the Senate. This takes us further into the unfamiliar territory that we have been exploring since the federal election last August produced a hung parliament.
CCI and WA businesses team up with government and industry associations
13 June 2011
I'm visiting the UK and Ireland this week. CCI and WA businesses have teamed up with government and industry associations to talk to workers in the capitals and key provincial cities.
Labour shortage
1 June 2011
Employers tell me that it is already getting harder to find the workers they need. And pressure is on wages to go up, again.
Budget talk
31 May 2011
A lot of the people that I've been talking to recently are trying to make sense of the WA economy. Whether your a retailer down south, a tourism operator up north or a mine worker in the Goldfields, the business you're in tends to influence your perspective.
The extraordinary is becoming commonplace in WA
18 May 2011
The extraordinary is becoming commonplace in WA. Last week, I led the annual CCI tour of the North West. Two dozen businessmen and women, investors and analysts, from WA, the eastern states and overseas, joined us to visit gas plants, iron ore mines, building sites, ports, supply bases and businesses large and small in the Pilbara and the Kimberley.
Treasurers need to cover all the bases with budgets
4 May 2011
Many of the people I've been talking to recently are trying to make sense of the WA economy. Whether you are a retailer down south, a tourism operator up north or a mine worker in the Goldfields, the business you're in tends to influence your perspective.
Clock is ticking on carbon tax fallout
20 April 2011
The clock is ticking for a big change to our economy. The Federal Government intends to impose a price on carbon in July next year. It doesn't leave us much time to get ready.
Education needed on carbon tax
9 March 2011
Kermit the frog said it isn't easy being green. It isn't cheap either. In 16 months, the Australian Government will impose a price on carbon. That does not give us much time to get ready for the biggest structural change to the Australian economy since the introduction of the GST.