The BCA chief executive argues that higher living standards cannot be achieved solely through taxes, regulations, or redistribution, and stresses the need to better explain macro factors driving everyday costs to voters.

Labor’s budget reforms, including scrapping negative gearing and reforming the capital gains tax, have sparked intense debate and market chatter about potential impacts on house prices, investment, and growth.

Ongoing political contention centers on tax reform, productivity messaging, and finding a balance between innovation and safety in AI policy as parties mobilize business support ahead of the elections.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to address the BCA dinner with a focus on AI collaboration and national cabinet talks on AI, data centers, energy, and water; Opposition Leader Angus Taylor will be unavailable due to other commitments.

An alliance plans an online campaign from next year through the 2028 election to counter left-wing populism, framing policy debates around productivity, taxation, and regulation for voters such as “Betty from Blacktown.”

The BCA has formed the Alliance of Industry Associations, uniting about 30 peak bodies to push economic reforms aimed at lifting living standards amid productivity and cost-of-living concerns.

Independent MP Allegra Spender calls for rethinking Labor’s CGT changes, proposing a flatter, non-inflation-adjusted discount to better incentivize investment while addressing inflation.