One of Australia's top bankers says businesses want clear, credible plans for the nation's economic future from the looming election campaign marathon.
The federal government will deliver its budget in just under than six weeks, ahead of a possible double dissolution election in July.
National Australia Bank chief executive Andrew Thorburn has called on both sides of politics to focus on the nation's long-term prosperity and the rapidly changing economy in their efforts to win the favour of voters in the next three months.
"We shouldn't let them get away with short-termism," he told a business lunch.
"As businesses we should expect to see a clear, credible plan to get back into surplus."
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Failing to deliver budget reforms to boost government revenue and reduce expenditure would put Australia's triple-A credit rating at risk, he said, and a downgrade would increase the cost of doing business for all.
Mr Thorburn also hopes the ensuing election campaign becomes a contest of ideas aimed at overcoming the economy's short term challenges and making the most of opportunities presented by technology.
But he said businesses and individuals have to take on as much responsibility, if not more, for driving economic growth.
"Let's not put it all on the government," he said.
Complacency has snuck into the Australian business landscape due to more than 20 years without a recession, something that can only be broken by individuals, not the government, Mr Thorburn said.
