Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has called on business leaders to spruik the government's economic policies, as Liberal MPs urge the corporate sector to stop "virtue-signalling" on social issues.
Less than six months from the next election, Mr Frydenberg said the coalition was the only side of politics with business-friendly policies.
"It is business that must advocate the importance of a low-taxing, fiscally responsible government which creates the environment in which the economy will thrive," he told The Australian on Monday.
Liberal MP Jason Falinksi said businesses had shown a lack of leadership by paying more attention to social debates than economic arguments.
"They say they don't want to get involved in political or policy discourse, but they're happy to get involved in the same-sex marriage debate," Mr Falinski said.
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"When was the last time we had a business leader come out on tax issues, or regulation issues, or industrial relations issues?"
Business groups hit back at the government, with Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox saying there had been a "deep frustration" at the coalition's inaction on workplace relations.
