What policy or reform should be a priority at the 2022 federal election?

Rob Scott, Wesfarmers
After a couple of years in crisis management mode, 2022 should mark the year when we focus on the policies and reform necessary to sustain Australia’s competitiveness and prosperity. The problems to solve at present are less to do with demand, and more to do with supply-side constraints. This is where areas such as migration, skills development and improving labour participation rates through better childcare arrangements will all make a positive difference. The recent Intergenerational Report highlights clearly the challenges we face. The only way we can manage the debt accumulated through the pandemic, and fund the escalating costs of healthcare and aged care for an ageing population, is to undertake serious tax reform across the federation and to improve productivity. Bracket creep and inefficient state taxes like payroll tax and stamp duty should not be relied on for future revenue collection; this is a regressive strategy.