Support business and encourage travel to get back on track
It may take a decade to recover from the economic hit of coronavirus so we must commit to the lowest taxes in Australia, freeing up travel and supporting business, says Ted Baillieu.
Opinion
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On COVID, Victoria has been our worst performer. Lockdown has been hard and long – the price in lives lost and economic and social damage huge.
Others may be worse. But Victoria emerges with lost status within Australia and worldwide.
Melbourne’s much proclaimed liveability has gone from an asset to an asterisk.
Just reopening won’t be enough. Business as Usual will not be an option. Victoria will have to change.
It will be a hard road back.
There will likely be 3 phases to recovery.
1. Rebuilding the local economy
2. Restoring Victoria’s place in the National Economy
3. Restoring Victoria’s place Internationally if possible
The first may take 2-3 years. The third 10 years plus. There will be some overlap. But even the first will be tough.
Above all we need an emergency plan. A 10 year plan at least. One we can all sign up to.
Call it “Victoria 30” or whatever works.
But let’s be brave. How about a bipartisan plan, with community buy in.
The basics are simple. Restore confidence. Make the state safe. Show the world we’re safe. Make doing business here easier and cheaper. Leverage our strengths. Stimulate demand. Reduce the cost of construction. Lower the costs of Government. Provide the best services. Aim high again. But change we must.
A PLAN
A Bi- Partisan Commission.
Let the young and creative lead.
Let Citizen Juries generate buy in.
Clear targets. Clear timelines. No constraints.
Monitor and report regularly.
RE-OPENING
Remove the 5km and ‘ring of steel’ rules asap.
Open Interstate borders asap.
Prioritise the opening of businesses and schools
TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
Rebuilding trust and confidence is then the highest priority.
It requires change – new messages, new policies, new people, and a new approach.
It will also require much greater levels of accountability, consistency and transparency for all
Governments. With bipartisan and community involvement.
SAFETY
Set the highest safety standards.
Make Victoria the COVID Safe leader.
Trust Industry to develop COVID Safe plans. Normalise that process.
Mandate COVID Safe plans as part of WorkSafe regulations.
Increase ventilation requirements in buildings.
Distribute PPE to vulnerable communities.
Use strike teams to deal with outbreaks.
Invest in COVID Safe infrastructure at International Gateways.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Throwing money at big projects is problematic. The industry was already close to capacity. Only projects with clear economic benefit.
Focus on infrastructure for business.
Medium density social housing for families. Use Government land to eliminate speculation.
Industrial agreements subject to 5-10 year Emergency Frameworks.
Double stack freight rail on the national network.
Lower Port Charges.
Expand energy production, including gas.
BUDGET
Reduce State business taxes. Particularly for SMEs. Priority Payroll Tax.
No new taxes.
Emergency Tax Framework for 5-10 years.
Reduce the cost of Government.
Revisit Public Sector EBAs. Introduce attrition policies.
PLANNING
Apartment standards for COVID Safe – ventilation, circulation and contact points.
Reduce Construction Costs – 3 storey rule, approvals, competition.
High density projects to better provide for families.
Let design lead fast tracking.
INDUSTRIAL
Retrieve Public Sector Industrial powers from Canberra
Work with Unions for a 5-10 year Emergency framework – moderated wages and conditions to better reflect change in the private and not for profit sectors.
KEY STRENGTHS
Revive Victoria’s Safe Haven Status.
Prioritise Agriculture, and Horticulture as Victoria’s #1 Export Industry with training and investment.
Diversify food and fibre markets.
Salvage all possible Major Events.
World leading COVID Safe plans for all events. Additional support for International visitors
Consolidate tertiary Institutions.
Regional and seasonal Intrastate Tourism Marketing campaign that is local, local, local.
Invest in coastal tourism infrastructure.
Make Victoria the science Capital.
Dedicated Enterprise Zones (eg Ability in Geelong).
NATIONAL POSITION
Commit to clearly the lowest taxes in Australia. Payroll and Property.
Report annually on Victoria’s Competitive position with other states and major trading partners.
Free road travel to Tasmania for 5-10 years.
Reverse any population exodus. Put out the welcome mat.
Make affordable housing a mission.
INTERNATIONAL
Victoria as all things India – goods, services, migration, agency.
Expand markets with South America, Indonesia, HK, Korea, Japan, Vietnam.
Restructure Chinese markets for greater certainty.
Restructure International Education – online and remote campuses pending reopened borders.
Free or discount public Transport for tertiary students including internationals.
Integrate Health Insurance into International student contracts.
New migration models.
Ted Baillieu was Premier of Victoria from 2010 to 2013.
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