Business Election Wishlist - ARA
(20 April 2022 – Australia) The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is pushing for five key strategic demands leading into the Australian Federal election on 21 May following two challenging years for retailers.
The ARA is primarily focused on
- Small business recovery
- Sustainability
- Supply chain resilience
- Labour and skills shortages
- Inclusive and equitable workplaces.
After supply chain disruptions continue to impact economies around the world, the ARA advocates for reducing red tape at Australia’s ports and increasing transparency and traceability. The group suggests expanding support to increase local manufacturing capability to critical supply chains like food and healthcare and incentivising innovation along the supply chain. The ARA supports an extension of the SME Recovery Loan Scheme to help with costs, cash flow concerns, and the repayment of debts.
“From the conflict in Europe to supply chain and chronic labour and skills pressures, rising inflation and unprecedented climate events such as the local flooding – the outcome of this year’s election will set the national agenda for decades to come” said ARA CEO Paul Zahra.
“We’ve turned a corner on Covid, but it’s left an abundance of business challenges in its wake including our biggest ever disruptor – climate change. The business community needs evidence that all parties are approaching these challenges with a long-term, strategic mindset” Zahra added.
“You cannot have an economic recovery without a retail recovery and the ARA’s five strategic priorities require attention from both major parties as part of their election platforms. Regardless of which party forms government next month, we’ll continue to advocate for the interests of our retail members on the issues that are important to them”
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