The business community has issued a stark warning to both sides of politics - improve Australia's competitiveness or sacrifice standards of living voters have come to expect.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has entered the federal election campaign debate with a 10-point plan to make the nation more competitive.
It noted that over the past decade Australia had fallen from 10th on the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index to an unacceptable 21st.
Chamber head James Pearson, launching its campaign on Wednesday, says the nation's weakest areas include tax and workplace regulation, while falling competitiveness means less investment, fewer jobs and missed opportunities.
"That's why in this election campaign, it is so important that leaders and parties commit to policies that will allow us to become more competitive," he says.
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"Other nations are embracing policies to increase the competitiveness of their economies, and their people are reaping the rewards."
It was also vital the parties demonstrated economic responsibility because every dollar of additional debt places a bigger burden on future generations, Mr Pearson said.
ACCI'S 10 STEPS TOWARDS A MORE COMPETITIVE AUSTRALIA:
* Make it easier for employers to take on young apprentices and trainees.
* Ensure government spending is sustainable by reducing it to less than 25 per cent of GDP.
* Help industries grow through workplace regulation that better responds to their needs.
* Reduce government red tape each year.
* Allow employers and employees to negotiate workplace arrangements that best meet their needs.
* Boost incomes by cutting the company tax rate to 25 per cent within 10 years.
* Back the Infrastructure Australia plan for transport, communications and energy facilities.
* Lower building costs by bringing back the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
* Encourage greater competition in government-funded education, health and aged care services.
* Welcome more international visitors by making visas cheaper and easier to obtain.
