• Principles
• Strategic Intervention
• Cost Competitiveness
• Government Procurement
• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Responsibility
• The Future for Agriculture
• Increasing Agricultural Productivity
• Maximising Agricultural Employment
• Investment in Innovative Agriculture
• Access to Markets
• Workplace Safety on Farms
• Women in Agriculture
• Farm Assistance Programs
• Intergenerational Transfer of Farms
• Science and Best Practice
• Food Safety and Quality Assurance
• Agriculture and the Natural Environment
• Fisheries and Aquaculture
• The Future for Minerals, Resources and Energy
• Uranium
• Forests
• The Future for Manufacturing Industries
• Biotechnology
• The Future for Service Industries
• The Future for Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Tourism
• Transport
• Education Services
• Financial and Professional Services
• Future for the Arts industry
• Small Business: Creating Jobs and Wealth
• The Community and Not For Profit Sectors

In a highly competitive and rapidly changing global economy, Australian industries must innovate if they are to survive and prosper. Innovative industries are more likely to export, pay higher wages, provide high-skill jobs and achieve strong profits. Labor believes that government can play a positive role in supporting the growth and development of the innovative industries of the future, whether they are in services, manufacturing, mining or agriculture, and whether they are small or large businesses. Labor believes that Australia's long-term prosperity is best protected by fostering a diversified economy, competing in high value-added sectors of global markets.

1. Principles

1. In the twenty-first century, the key drivers of economic success in any modern western economy will be the extent and success of investment in innovation, skill development and skill formation.

2. Labor recognises the fundamental changes that have occurred in the global economy and in Australian society. As the translation of science, technology and innovation into the productive economy proceeds at a rapid pace, we must enhance this process through strategic public and private investment.

3. Labor is committed to ensuring organisations and individuals have the knowledge, skills and incentives to stimulate investment in innovation. Labor will foster an economic climate which supports private investment in research and development, including through tax incentives, and the effective and innovative use of technology by firms and organisations.

4. Australia must be an innovative economy if we are to succeed in the highly competitive global economy of the twenty-first century. Labor will pursue the goal of lifting Australia's level of business expenditure on research and development to above the average for OECD nations.

5. Labor will maximise the benefits of innovation by encouraging the local commercialisation of Australian inventions and the development of export markets for new technologies, serviced enhanced manufacturing and knowledge-based service industries. As well as commercialising Australian inventions, Australia must lead the world in adopting and using technology including advanced production technology and information and communications technology (ICT) developments.

6. Labor will strengthen our national science agencies, such as the CSIRO, and provide them with clear strategic direction and funding to pursue basic research as well as working with industry to transfer technology and nurture innovation. Labor will further expand and encourage links between the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the domestic defence industry. Technology transfer to Australian industry will be encouraged.

7. Labor will ensure that the financial and cultural benefits of technological change are available to all members of society, including those in regional and rural Australia. Labor will address the potential social and financial costs of technological change and questions of equitable access to information and services increasingly delivered in electronic form.

8. An emphasis on innovation and skills is fundamental not only to the creation of new industries but to the modernisation and transformation of traditional industries. Labor will:

   • establish effective incentives to encourage research, development and commercialisation;
   • seek to encourage greater collaboration between Australia's private and public research effort;
   • promote linkages between industry and research bodies so that they share knowledge and expertise;
   • nurture clustering and networking of industries so that they share knowledge and expertise; and
   • seek to strengthen industry supply chains.

9. Strategic Intervention

9. Labor will put in place an active industry policy involving strategic intervention where such intervention adds value to Australia's workforce, its national resources or its ideas; increases our global competitiveness, leading to more exports and investment; or where the cost of not intervening would severely impact on particular industries or regions. The focus will be on building jobs in the new and existing industries.

10. Emphasis will also be given to sustainable industry development, based on environmental modernisation, with the aim of ‘cleaning and greening' existing industries and developing new and emerging environmental technologies and industries.

11. A Labor Government will be prepared to intervene, as appropriate, to advance broader economic, social or regional objectives.

12. Labor will work with particular industries to achieve national goals. The sectoral approach adopted in the 1980s and 1990s was highly effective in boosting exports and cushioning the impact of reduced protection. The industry policy requirements of the next decade will not be the same as those of the past.

13. Labor will put in place industry-based assistance measures that meet the needs of the new century.

14. Labor believes that policy measures must be developed and implemented on the basis of a partnership between industry and government. Assistance provided to industries will therefore be on the basis of clearly defined criteria and will be structured to achieve objectives relating to employment, skills and training, developing world-class supply chains, research and development, innovation, investment and exports.

15. Measures designed to attract significant new investment, from both Australia and overseas, will be an important element of this approach. Such measures will encourage a national approach to investment promotion and seek to minimise the detrimental effects of bidding wars between the States to attract new investment.

16. Individual projects or companies which receive federal government assistance under investment attraction schemes will need to enter into activity agreements with a Labor Government that ensure commitments to priority issues such as employment and local content strategies.

17. Labor recognises it is not the role of government to support unsustainable industries but believes that positive intervention can contribute to building the competitiveness and export orientation of Australian industries.

18. Labor's approach involves working with business, workers and their unions and with the regions to support and encourage industries and firms that are committed to best practice and improving their international competitiveness.

19. Labor will seek to coordinate these strategic interventions as part of a broad, nation building agenda. An office will be established to:

    • assist in articulating the government's strategic priorities;
    • coordinate economic, social and environmental agendas;
    • coordinate policy across governments;
    • undertake research and policy development; and
    • ensure that the machinery of government is working towards the achievement of the government's strategic objectives.

20. Labor will establish Industry Innovation Councils to develop and implement industry innovation strategies for key sectors. The Councils will comprise high level decision makers from industry, unions, Commonwealth and State/Territory governments and the science and innovation community. By building strong, productive and ongoing working relationships among all participants in the supply chain, the Councils will facilitate whole-of-government and industry commitment to new directions and initiatives aimed at:

    • improving productivity, global competitiveness and market access to secure the future of the sector;
    • achieving best practice in employment and training to build a highly skilled and flexible workforce for the 21st century;
    • ensuring the sustainable development of each sector; and
    • enabling each sector to be part of Australia's response to the global challenge of climate change.

21. Cost Competitiveness

21. Labor is committed to pursuing, though cooperative and consultative processes, a range of measures to improve the efficiency and productive performance of industry. Labor will:

    • continue to promote micro-economic reform and competition policy in ways which not only contribute to a competitive business environment, but embrace social welfare and equity concerns, benefit consumers and are consistent with industrial relations best practice;
    • ensure that business regulation measures are reviewed for their impact on competitive efficiency, are in the public interest and are not used by either the public sector or the private sector to unfairly restrict business competition;
    • ensure that Australia's taxation system is sensitive to business needs; and
    • continue to emphasise best practice in industrial relations, and the improvement of management systems to improve the efficiency and productive performance of industry.

22. Industrial relations arrangements must contribute both to competitiveness and to achieving fair outcomes. The emphasis should be on the development of productive and cooperative enterprise relations based on a well paid, highly-skilled, effective and motivated workforce which contributes to building a competitive business environment.

23. Productive workplaces require attention to opportunities for employees to participate in and contribute to the efficient development of the enterprise and to have the opportunity to share in the benefits of its success. Labor will also develop cooperative, tripartite mechanisms to consider industrial relations in the context of wider industry development issues.

24. Government Procurement

24. Labor recognises that in the manufacturing, service and information industries, government has a crucial role as a purchaser of goods and services. This is especially so for emerging industries or companies. A Labor Government will work with industry and State and Territory governments to use ethically sourced, public procurement as an industry policy tool in ways that are compatible with efficiency and cost effectiveness and local industry development.

25. Labor will put in place an aggressive local industry participation policy, consistent with our World Trade Organisation (WTO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) obligations regarding purchase of imported goods and services, and our commitment to purchasing the product with lowest ‘whole of life' cost. This policy will ensure that all government departments see their purchasing activities as a key element in industry development, that significant outlays of Commonwealth funds conform with the policy, and that government agencies will be required to purchase from Australian and New Zealand suppliers who are price and quality competitive. The policy will provide a price reference advantage for Australian suppliers of 20 per cent with an additional five per cent for those companies in regional Australia and will ensure that all goods are ethically sourced and that the process ensures that the aims of the policy can be adequately implemented, subject to international commitments and/or obligations.

26. Labor recognises that in order for goods or services to be ethically sourced, suppliers must be good corporate citizens. This requires that they comply with the law. This includes but is not limited to laws regarding taxation, trade practices, corporations, industrial relations, consumer affairs, environment and immigration. Labor will ensure that the Commonwealth procurement guidelines and codes reflect Government policy on ethical procurement.

27. Labor will also require:

    • Principal suppliers to the Commonwealth to ensure compliance with procurement policies by all sub-contractors involved in the principal's supply chain to the Commonwealth.
    • That any supplier to Government found to owe outstanding entitlements to its workforce, including as a consequence of a transmission of business, should pay those entitlements.

28. Labor will increase coordination of Government procurement, to reduce costs and inefficiencies arising from excessive fragmentation of purchasing under the Howard Government.

29. Labor will increase transparency of government contracts by strictly limiting the use of commercial-in-confidence secrecy. All government agencies will maintain a register of commercial-in-confidence exclusions, to be periodically tabled in parliament and subject to scrutiny by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit. Labor will require agencies to disclose details of any sub-contract arrangements including the identity and location of sub-contractors.

30. Following the election of a Labor government, all new contracts entered into by all government departments, agencies and federally-owned corporations will be required to comply with government ethical procurement policy and Federal and State laws and will reflect Labor's commitment to introducing a new fair industrial relations system for Australia.

31. Labor will ensure that all existing and prospective suppliers are apprised of the Commonwealth's procurement policy. Labor will put in place mechanisms to ensure that the policy is complied with through tendering and contractual requirements.

32. Corporate Governance

32. Efficient and accessible capital markets are critical to investment and growth in the economy. Labor believes that good corporate governance is fundamental to capital market efficiency and critical to ensuring that the interests of shareholders, employees and legitimate company stakeholders are protected.

33. Labor will continue to ensure that Australia's regulatory framework generates sound corporate governance practices. Transparency, accountability and disclosure are at the core of good corporate governance. Labor will ensure that obligations on companies and their officers result in comprehensive and comprehensible disclosures for shareholders and company stakeholders, and ensure appropriate accountability of company officers.

34. Labor is committed to ensuring that shareholders and investment managers can actively participate in company governance processes.

35. Labor will continue to monitor corporate governance practices, the Corporations Act and related legislation to ensure that:

    • the election of directors of listed public companies is transparent and direct voting of proxies is encouraged;
    • shareholders are informed about the directors' relationships (if any) with the company and other directors when standing for election;
    • companies fully disclose all information, including non-financial information, relevant to investors, shareholders and the market in a timely and equitable manner;
    • companies continue to appoint independent directors to the board of directors;
    • performance-based executive remuneration arrangements are genuinely linked to performance;
    • there is consideration of the role of the remuneration consultancy industry in the setting of executive remuneration;
    • directors are accountable to shareholders for the level of remuneration received by directors and senior management;
    • companies fully disclose the remuneration of directors and senior management in a comprehensive and comprehensible manner;
    • the Corporations Act is amended to enhance the disclosure and regulation of options, termination payments and equity value protection schemes;
    • non-recourse loans to directors and senior management are prohibited;
    • companies use their general meetings to appropriately communicate with shareholders;
    • shareholders retain the ability to call an extraordinary general meeting of a company;
    • shareholders and institutional investors exercise their voting rights appropriately and regularly;
    • ASIC has sufficient funding to undertake its functions and pursue companies who fail to protect employee entitlements;
    • appropriate penalties are imposed for breaches of the corporations law, in particular for insider trading;
    • the independence of audit and auditors is maintained;
    • not-for-profit organisations improve their governance arrangements and disclosure;
    • disclosure requirements for transactions between related parties are strengthened;
    • ASIC and the DPP regularly review their operations to ensure thorough management of law enforcement and prosecutions; and
    • company directors remain accountable to investors, employees, suppliers and consumers, and that directors' duties reflect this accountability.

36. Corporate Responsibility

36. Labor's emphasis on corporate responsibility is grounded in our commitment to sustainable economic growth. Labor believes sustainable, responsible businesses are integral to our future prosperity and international competitiveness.

37. Corporate responsibility means a commitment from business to sustainable economic development—sustainable in terms of impacts on local communities and the natural environment, as well as returns to investors. Corporate responsibility encompasses, but extends beyond, compliance with corporate regulation such as governance requirements.

38. Labor recognises the central and significant role of corporations in today's world, and that the influence of corporations extends well beyond wealth creation and includes significant social and environmental impacts.

39. Government has a key role in monitoring and regulating these impacts. Labor believes that effective responses to the social and environmental challenges we face, must involve business. Government has a responsibility to engage business in their responses, and should play a strategic role to encourage sustainable business practice.

40. Labor believes this can benefit both business and the wider community, through the minimisation of negative impacts and costs, and the commercial opportunities that business may generate through its involvement.

41. Many leading businesses have already embraced corporate responsibility. Labor seeks to build on this trend by encouraging greater take-up of corporate responsibility. To achieve this, Labor believes that a change in mainstream business culture will be required. Labor is committed to ensuring that business leaders understand community expectations about their role in society and will assist and encourage Australian business to build the capacity to act responsibly and sustainably.

42. Labor believes greater transparency in the social and environmental performance by businesses builds trusting relationships with communities and enhances corporate responsibility. Accordingly Labor will:

    • ensure an increase in the level of comprehensive and comparable non-financial reporting by companies and other large businesses; and
    • engage the financial sector to improve analysis and valuation of environmental and social performance by companies.

43. Labor will also encourage all businesses to evaluate and reduce negative social or environmental consequences of their activities by:

    • ensuring that company directors recognise that their duties to shareholders do not prevent them considering the interests of legitimate company stakeholders such as employees, customers and the local community;
    • insisting that Australian companies meet their obligations under Australia's international agreements, and monitoring their performance against these agreements; and
    • encouraging trustees of superannuation funds to take account of the social and environmental performance of companies when investing on behalf of members.

44. Recognising that business also needs support and resources to make their operations more sustainable, Labor will:

    • ensure business has access to the tools and best practice information to assist them manage social and environmental risks, and the recognition of opportunities as part of normal business operations;
    • partner with business to establish, as required, eminent roundtable forums to address sustainability issues of concern to business and society; and
    • consider other incentives for encouraging business to behave more responsibly.

45. Where necessary, Labor will address specific issues of concern to the community, such as encouraging business to:

    • support an increase in the employment of older people, the long-term unemployed and people living with disabilities;
    • ensure that executive salary growth is clearly linked to company performance and considers community expectations; and
    • embrace social diversity in their workforces and management.

46. Labor will demonstrate its commitment to sustainable activities by ensuring that Australian government agencies provide a positive example to Australian business by undertaking and implementing sustainability reporting and sustainable procurement practices.

47. The Future for Agriculture

47. Australia's agricultural and fisheries industries will continue to play an essential role in the Australian economy as a major source of exports and as the economic base for most of rural and regional Australia.

48. Strong primary industries are crucial for creating wealth, income and jobs in rural and regional Australia. Labor will work with farmers and their representatives to ensure all Australians understand the importance of the sector to the economic welfare of the nation and will help develop and promote a positive image for the sector.

49. Labor is committed to positive strategic intervention to ensure that all export development and import replacement opportunities are fully explored.

50. The key components of Labor strategy for agriculture and fisheries are:

    • increasing agricultural productivity;
    • maximising agricultural employment;
    • maximising local Australian content in Australian supermarkets;
    • investment in innovative agriculture;
    • access to markets;
    • workplace safety on farms;
    • women in agriculture;
    • farm assistance programs;
    • intergenerational transfer of farms;
    • science and best practice;
    • food safety and quality assurance;
    • agriculture and the natural environment; and
    • fisheries and aquaculture.

51. Increasing Agricultural Productivity

51. Labor acknowledges that the long-term survival of agriculture in a global environment will depend on continuing innovation and productivity improvement in the sector. Continuous productivity improvement will be achieved by:

    • rebuilding agriculture's research and development capacity to improve on-farm productivity and enhance producer competitiveness;
    • specific skilling of farmers and rural workers to enable the sector to keep pace with new production, technology and marketing advances;
    • fostering the development and adoption of new farm technologies;
    • improving the nation's transport infrastructure and produce handling facilities to enable Australia's agricultural produce to reach overseas markets quickly and at a competitive price to maximise returns, recognising the important role of air freight and intermodal linkages in that task; and
    • ensuring access by farm businesses to quality information technology and communication infrastructure to provide farmers with timely access to production, marketing and financial data.

52. Maximising Agricultural Employment

52. Labor acknowledges the capacity of agriculture to generate new jobs in regional areas and is committed to encouraging the further processing of agricultural products close to the source of production as a means of creating wealth and jobs in country towns. Labor will:

    • assist Australian agriculture to identify new products, new market opportunities and areas where agricultural imports may feasibly be replaced;
    • recognise the important role played by off-farm income sources to the survival of the family farm, and see the restoration of regional services as an important vehicle for the creation of employment opportunities for farm family members; and
    • facilitate the further development and growth of integrated farming and small-scale manufacturing and processing businesses.

53. Investment in Innovative Agriculture

53. Labor will examine and develop policies which encourage new forms of ownership and investment by Australian capital in Australian primary industries.

54. Labor recognises there is a potential partnership between the long-term investment needs of agriculture and the growing pool of patient capital represented by Australian superannuation funds. Labor will seek to develop specific incentives and structures that will encourage these funds to play a significant role in contributing to the capital base required in the agricultural industry.

55. Labor will assist in the development of alternative farm ownership models (e.g. leasing and cooperative ownership) that may make it more attractive for institutional investors to contribute to the capital costs required to improve returns.

56. Labor will support the ongoing development of organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices.

57. Labor will support the further development of the increasingly important role being played by farmers in the development and production of alternative fuels, including biofuels produced on farms.

58. Access to Markets

58. Labor will maximise access to domestic and international markets for Australian agriculture and fisheries. This will be coupled with effective communication links between new markets and local producers to take advantage of new market opportunities. Labor believes the big gains for farmers in the international marketplace will be best achieved through multilateral negotiations and treaties.

59. In pursuit of new domestic and international marketing opportunities, Labor will:

    • ensure that Australian representatives at international agriculture and trade forums are adequately prepared to vigorously pursue the interests of Australian agriculture;
    • work with producer organisations, markets and information providers to develop programs to keep farmers better informed about changing trends in market and consumer requirements;
    • support the development of structures which facilitate appropriate producer involvement at each step of the marketing chain;
    • work with farmers, wholesalers and retailers to ensure that domestic markets operate as fairly, transparently and efficiently as possible;
    • examine existing marketing structures to ensure that they maximise returns to producers and the nation; and
    • develop programs which will assist regions and individual farm businesses to attract a premium price for their products through the use of ‘clean and green' production methods.

60. Workplace Safety on Farms

60. Labor recognises the importance of workplace safety for farmers and farm workers and will work with State governments to ensure that best practice, farm safety education programs are available throughout Australia.

61. Labor will work with farm organisations and unions representing rural workers to develop codes of practice for workplace safety on farms. Where codes fail to improve safety on farms, Labor will work with State governments to introduce legally enforceable codes.

62. Women in Agriculture

62. Labor acknowledges the role played by women in the operation and management of farm businesses. Labor will:

    • work with rural women to enhance the awareness and appreciation of their important role and will develop programs to upgrade the skills and expand the opportunities of women in the sector; and
    • maintain and expand services, including childcare, which support women in the agricultural workforce.

63. Farm Assistance Programs

63. With primary industries particularly exposed to changing natural, environmental, economic and social conditions, there is a need to:

    • further develop flexibility, innovation and adjustment to change as core skills in Australian primary industry; and
    • develop specific national responses to better provide for the ever present short-term crises such as disease outbreaks and climate problems.

64. Labor will:

    • maintain flexible crossovers between family or household support programs in other portfolios to ensure that primary producers are not excluded from mainstream safety net assistance simply through ownership of the primary asset;
    • maintain funding for exit programs which make it possible to exit with dignity as deemed appropriate;
    • explore with farmers, farm organisations and other groups, conservation stewardship arrangements as alternatives to exit programs;
    • assist farmers to assess ongoing viability of their enterprises in the light of changing production, marketing and environmental conditions and provide programs to assist farmers to adjust to these changing circumstances; and
    • maintain and improve programs that support farmers through droughts and other natural disasters while also developing programs to help farmers better prepare for these events.

65. Intergenerational Transfer of Farms

65. Labor recognises the importance to the farm sector and the national economy of enabling younger generations of farmers to take over family farm businesses without leaving the older generation in financially difficult circumstances.

66. In partnership with farm organisations, Labor will seek to develop new ways of facilitating the intergenerational transfer of farm assets.

67. Science and Best Practice

67. Labor is committed to confirming science as an accepted arbiter in questions related to sustainability, environmental assessment, hazards and quarantine.

68. Standards of international best practice and science will be developed and continuously reviewed and updated. In particular, this will support a fully resourced, national quarantine system accepting a proactive responsibility for representing Australian quarantine interests at all levels and ensuring appropriate levels of protection for all distinct regions of Australia.

69. Food Safety and Quality Assurance

69. Australia's producers must be able to satisfy the consumer need for complete assurance on matters of food safety and quality. Labor draws no distinction between domestic and international consumers in this regard. Labor recognises that the interests of producers and consumers are best served when food products are labelled accurately, including country of origin.

70. Labor will establish and enforce a comprehensive model of national food safety and quality assurance, which will include:

    • the adoption of international best practice at all levels of the chain;
    • an understanding of food safety and quality assurance concepts for persons performing tasks along the pathway from producer to end user;
    • labelling of food products containing genetically modified material; and
    • development of a national label of accreditation as a universally recognised symbol of Australian quality and environmental sustainability.

71. Agriculture and the Natural Environment

71. Labor sees an expanded role for the agriculture sector in meeting major environmental challenges such as soil degradation, salinity, chemical use, water conservation, greenhouse and climate change, river rehabilitation, feral animal and noxious weed control, and the loss of biodiversity. Labor will ensure that farmers are recognised for the considerable progress they have already made in these areas.

72. Labor will:

    • encourage the development of innovative production systems and farming practices, new research and infrastructure developments that address these major challenges;
    • acknowledge the particular implications for Australian agriculture of long-term climate change, direct scientific effort to identifying areas at risk from such change, and develop long-term strategies for regions required to change the nature of their farming activity; and
    • make the development of economically and environmentally sustainable farming methods for a drier climate a focus of research efforts.

73. Labor recognises the critical role of the rural community in the ongoing stewardship of our land. Labor is committed to working with rural communities and land holders in the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and whole farm planning consistent with regional strategies. Labor is committed to building on the achievements of Landcare, encouraging the uptake of sustainable farming practices and the continuing support for the repair of our rural landscapes.

74. Fisheries and Aquaculture

74. Labor recognises the importance of the commercial and recreational fishing industries, and the aquaculture industry, in generating employment and export income for many regions.

75. Labor understands the crucial role research and development plays in ensuring that fish stocks remain at a level that can support both commercial and recreational fishing.

76. Labor supports the further development of aquaculture industries.

77. Labor will implement programs that actively prevent illegal fishing activities in Australian waters.

78. The Future for Minerals, Resources and Energy

78. Australia's minerals, resources and energy industries are vital to our economy. They are a major source of exports and a direct and indirect employer; provide an economic base for regional Australia; and make a substantial contribution to the well-being of the whole community.

79. Enormous potential for long-term economic and employment growth exists in the further development of these industries. The greatest potential for this growth exists in downstream processing of Australia's natural resources and the export of minerals-related services and technology.

80. The potential for economic and employment growth in these industries, combined with the globalisation of the economy, the emergence of new international competitors in the global resources market, and the internationalisation of a number of Australia's larger companies, means that the international competitiveness of Australia's minerals, resources and energy industries is a crucial issue for government.

81. Australia's natural advantages in downstream minerals processing for domestic and export markets can be further enhanced by a more efficient, nationally oriented energy industry.

82. The extraction and use of mineral resources has both natural resource and economic implications. Government and industry should ensure that development of mineral resources occurs in a way that maximises the economic worth of existing resources.

83. Labor will improve the efficiency of the use of minerals, resources and energy so that the depletion of finite resources is minimised by the use of renewable resources and the conversion and reuse of surplus and waste products.

84. To maximise the minerals, resources and energy industries' social, environmental and economic contribution to Australia, Labor will:

    • encourage, in conjunction with the States, an intensified national minerals, oil and gas exploration effort, and the development of new exploration science and technology;
    • facilitate the continued development of a national gas distribution network;
    • develop strategies with industry and the States/NT to maximise Australian labour participation, including training and skill development, in all phases (exploration, construction, extraction, processing and transportation) of minerals, resources and energy projects, including in the offshore hydrocarbons sector;
    • promote the sound development of Australia's coal resources, with particular regard to domestic requirements, the development of Australia's coal exports, and the need for a stable and profitable coal industry;
    • encourage the development of clean coal technologies;
    • encourage downstream processing of minerals, resources and energy products, and, through public and private avenues, the infrastructure necessary to achieve this;
    • bolster research, development and technology efforts to ensure the international competitiveness of the minerals, resources and energy industries, including technology and services derived from those industries;
    • harness the scientific, technological, research and development and engineering ingenuity of our minerals and resources industries in a nationally coordinated way; and
    • make a national effort to maximise our energy security, capacity and efficiency and provide the lowest practicable energy prices for Australian industry and consumers.

85. Labor will maximise local content in the manufacture, construction and maintenance of facilities and equipment for production and processing in Australia's minerals, resources and energy industries, including by promoting specific facilities and infrastructure which can build and service major offshore and onshore hydrocarbon projects.

86. Labor recognises the skill shortages in traditional trades and resource industry professions facing the sector and will work with the industry to address this issue as a matter of urgency.

87. Labor recognises that the development of Australia's natural resources requires that the benefits are shared equitably between producers and the Australian community, and will foster a full return to the community from the development of common resources and maximise the benefits of Australian ownership and control of our natural resources. Labor supports the use of the tax regime to help achieve this objective.

88. Labor will ensure that the ultimate responsibility for the administration of offshore mining and petroleum production resides with the Commonwealth, and facilitate the efficient production of crude oil from new and existing fields including through regular release of exploration areas and an efficiently administered resource rent tax.

89. Labor will ensure that mineral development on Indigenous land proceeds consistently with Labor's land rights and native title policy, maximises Indigenous employment, business, education and training opportunities, and maximises Indigenous community development and self determination opportunities.

90. Labor acknowledges that mining operations may have an impact on Indigenous communities and traditional landowners. Labor is committed to working with these communities and mining operators to identify and minimise any adverse impact, including proper resourcing of communities for Indigenous land use agreement negotiations.

91. Labor will adopt integrated long-term plans to ensure the economic and environmental health of the nation's water resources.

92. Uranium

92. Labor recognises that the production of uranium and its use in the nuclear fuel cycle present unique and unprecedented hazards and risks, including:

    • threats to human health and the local environment in the mining and milling of uranium, which demand the enforcement of very strict safety procedures;
    • the generation of products which are usable as the raw materials for nuclear weapons manufacture, which demands the enforcement of effective controls against diversion; and
    • the generation of highly toxic radioactive waste by-products, which demands permanently safe disposal methods not currently available.

93. Labor, accordingly will only allow the mining and export of uranium under the most stringent conditions, as described below.

94. In relation to mining and milling, Labor will:

    • Ensure the safety of workers in the uranium industry is paramount, and establish a compulsory register for workers in the uranium industry that includes regular health checks and ongoing monitoring. Such a register would be held by an independent agency and be subject to privacy provisions.
    • Ensure that Australian uranium mining, milling and rehabilitation is based on world best practice standards, on extensive continuing research on environmental impacts and on the health and safety of employees and affected communities, particularly Indigenous communities;
    • ensure, through public accountability mechanisms, that the Australian public is informed about the quality of the environmental performance of uranium mines; and
    • foster a constructive relationship between mining companies and Indigenous communities affected by uranium mining.
    • prohibit the mining of uranium within national parks under IUCN protected area category 1A, category 1B, and category 2, and listed world heritage areas.

95. In relation to exports, Labor will allow the export of uranium only to those countries which observe the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), are committed to non-proliferation policies, have ratified international and bilateral nuclear safeguards agreements and maintain strict safeguards and security controls over their nuclear power industries. In addition, Labor will work towards:

    • strengthening export control regimes and the rights and authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);
    • appropriate international responses to violations of existing safeguard commitments;
    • limiting the processing of weapon usable material (separation of plutonium and high enriched uranium in civilian programs);
    • tightening controls over the export of nuclear material and technology;
    • universalising of the IAEA additional protocol making it mandatory for all states and members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to make adherence to the additional protocol a condition of supply to all their transfers;
    • criminalising actions of individuals and companies that assist in nuclear proliferation;
    • the development of an international guarantee of nuclear fuel supply to states forgoing sensitive nuclear technologies;
    • revising the NPT to prevent countries from withdrawing from the NPT and passing a new resolution in the UN Security Council addressing the penalties for withdrawal from the NPT;
    • encouraging all nuclear states to join the NPT;
    • reserving the right to withhold supplies of uranium permanently, indefinitely or for a specified period from any country which ceases to observe the non-proliferation safeguards and security conditions which are applied to Australian uranium exports to that country, or which adopts nuclear practices or policies inimical to further advance in the cause of nuclear non-proliferation;
    • supporting the maintenance and enhancement of international and Australian safeguards to ensure that uranium mined in Australia, and nuclear products derived from it, is used only for civil purposes by approved instrumentalities in approved countries which are signatories to the NPT and with whom Australia has safeguard arrangements; and
    • seeking adequate international resourcing of the IAEA to ensure its effectiveness in undertaking its charter.

96. Labor will progress these commitments through diplomatic means including the re-establishment of the Canberra Commission to re-invigorate Australia's tradition of middle power, multilateral diplomacy. In doing so, Labor, as a non nuclear armed nation and a good international citizen, can wield considerable influence and credibility in promoting disarmament, the reduction of nuclear stockpiles, and the responsible use of nuclear technology.

97. In addition, Labor will:

    • vigorously oppose the ocean dumping of radioactive waste;
    • prohibit the establishment in Australia of nuclear power plants and all other stages of the nuclear fuel cycle;
    • fully meet all our obligations as a party to the NPT; and
    • remain strongly opposed to the importation and storage of nuclear waste that is sourced from overseas in Australia.

98. Forests

98. Australia's forest and forest products industry has high economic and employment value. Labor recognises the importance of the forest and the forest products industry to the Australian economy and the need for forests to continue to be based on ecologically sustainable development principles. Future development of the forest and forest products industry must take place on an ecologically and economically sustainable basis, by ensuring the full implementation of the Regional Forest Agreements process.

99. The forest and forest products industry provides a source of employment for regional communities and contributes to economic growth and employment through increasing downstream processing of resources taken from public and private forests, including pulp and paper milling, veneer milling and plywood manufacturing.

100. Labor recognises the skills shortages in traditional trades and forest industry professionals and will work with the industry to address this issue as a matter of urgency.

101. Labor will establish a Wood and Paper Industry Innovation Council to review current industry arrangements, including investment incentives, identify new markets and generally assist the industry to reach its potential.

     Labor will task the Innovation Council with the development of a comprehensive plantation forestry strategy.

102. The Future for Manufacturing Industries

102. Labor is committed to supporting a strong manufacturing sector, on the basis that:

     • A strong manufacturing sector can be the engine for significant job growth, particularly in high quality, service sector jobs;
     • In the global context, exports of manufactures, particularly elaborately transformed manufactures, have experienced rapid growth over the past two decades. Unfortunately, under the Howard Government exports of Australian ETMs have stagnated. Service enhanced manufacturing will be the engine of growth in world trade and it is essential that Australia realises its full potential; and
     • Investment in heavy manufacturing industries, including the resource sector, must be planned within a cooperative framework, with medium to long-term value adding capacity for local and export markets.

103. Manufacturing provides Australia with some of its most significant economic opportunities. Within the manufacturing sector, the industries with the fastest export growth over the past decade were those that had some level of government assistance, including pharmaceuticals, computer and telecommunications equipment, assembled new motor vehicles, ships, food processing, and textiles, clothing and footwear.

104. Labor will secure and expand our manufacturing sector, and through it develop our high growth and knowledge-intensive industries. Labor sees the key elements to develop in relation to these industries as being:

     • research and development and innovation;
     • investment;
     • quality products and services;
     • a more skilled workforce, including management; and
     • infrastructure.

105. Labor will develop or review existing strategic action plans for a range of industries including:

     • food processing;
     • pharmaceuticals;
     • biotechnology;
     • medical and scientific instruments;
     • information technology, including software;
     • telecommunications;
     • metal production and fabrication;
     • automotive;
     • advanced manufacturing technology;
     • space technology;
     • shipbuilding;
     • resource processing;
     • sustainably managed forest and forest products;
     • environmental technology;
     • plastics and chemicals;
     • printing;
     • energy, including renewable energy;
     • textiles, clothing and footwear; and
     • domestic and commercial furniture manufacturing.

106. Development of these strategic action plans will involve industry employers, unions and government identifying the opportunities, the barriers to realising these opportunities and the solutions to overcoming the barriers. In addition to the broad array of our industry policy initiatives, Labor will look to establish a partnership with each relevant industry, involving a commitment from each industry to targets in investment, jobs, net exports and research and development, in return for strategic assistance.

107. Labor recognises there is a potential partnership between the long-term investment needs of manufacturing and the growing pool of patient capital represented by Australian superannuation funds. Labor will seek to develop specific incentives and structures that will encourage these funds to play a significant role in contributing to the capital base required in the manufacturing industry.

108. Labor will continue to support the established manufacturing industries as well as new and emerging industries. The industries which have been undergoing major structural change such as the automotive, textiles, clothing and footwear industries, and the domestic and commercial furniture manufacturing industries, have the capacity to be transformed into successful, world-class industries providing quality jobs with decent wages and working conditions.

109. Continuing emphasis will be placed on the effort to ensure that our trading partners honour their trade liberalisation obligations and that the established time frame is adhered to by all.

110. Where these industries continue to receive special support, Labor will seek firm commitments to securing existing employment levels, adherence to core labour standards including relevant award and legislative protections, new jobs, new investment and increased exports and a commitment to skills development, research and high quality design performed in Australia. For its part, Labor will seek to ensure that future tariff reductions are matched by our competitors and that programs are in place which encourage continued growth in net value-added exports.

111. TCF tariffs will be held at current levels pending a review to be undertaken by a new Labor Government in 2008. Labor's TCF review will be undertaken by a review panel established by the Industry Minister and including both employer and union representatives. This review will be required to take into account the tariff and non-tariff barriers of our trading partners and the likely social impact of further tariff reductions on TCF workers, regional Australia and the broader community. If Australia's trading partners have not made sufficient adjustments at all levels to bring them into line with their international obligations, or the negative social impact of further tariff reductions is too severe, the tariff will be frozen until such time as those issues are addressed. Labor will also reform the administration of the TCF Structural Adjustment Package along the lines of the Labour Adjustment Program abolished by the Howard Government. Labor will ensure that this non means-tested program has an appropriate level of funding and better assists TCF workers to improve their English and language skills, engage in vocational training and find new employment in secure jobs.

112. In government, Labor will:

     • pursue improved market access arrangements for Australian TCF exporters;
     • continue funding of the Strategic Investment Program for the TCF sector at current levels, review the scheduled reductions from 2009 with a view to reversing the Government's planned reductions, and link funding to employment of Australian workers;
     • establish an effective and resourced Australian TCF Industry Council to focus on creating employment and development in the TCF sector focusing on high-value exports; and
     • implement federal legislation to complement State legislation that aims to end the exploitation of outworkers and ensure they are employed under secure, safe and fair systems of work with enforceable rights and conditions of employment.

113. Labor will strengthen anti-dumping measures to ensure that Australian industry is not disadvantaged by unfairly priced imports.

114. Biotechnology

114. Labor recognises that Australia has a strong record in biotechnology research and its application to medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial uses. Labor will take a national approach to promoting the biotechnology sector, in conjunction with States and Territories and will give strong support to local industry to take advantage of biotechnology research through:

     • access to government research and development assistance;
     • a range of venture capital initiatives and other forms of encouragement to enable Australian companies to fully exploit the products of Australian research;
     • the creation of conditions for partnerships and cooperative projects with international partners that enable Australia to participate in commercialisation activities; and
     • assurance that intellectual property rights will be protected.

115. The Future for Service Industries

115. Labor recognises that our service industries already provide a significant proportion of Australia's employment and national income. Labor also recognises that, beyond our traditional strengths in primary industries and manufacturing, the service industries sector has grown in importance in recent years as a vital contributor to our export performance, job growth and ability to sustain economic growth. This trend, as well as the significant growth in service-enhanced manufacturing, will strengthen in the future as the long-term shift in the structure of the economy continues.

116. The businesses which provide the many services that essential to consumers in a modern industrial society—such as financial, transport, communications, information technology, data management, legal, medical, scientific, engineering, construction, education, tourism, hospitality and leisure services—are also becoming more crucial to our national prosperity, due to their increasing capacity to:

     • improve our ability to compete on the international stage by making export initiatives in other sectors more competitive;
     • penetrate services export markets in their own right; and
     • compete with imported services on cost and quality.

117. Accordingly, Labor recognises that service and information industries must be embraced by the broader approach to national industry policy outlined in this Platform. In particular, Labor will develop and implement industry policy measures that assist the different industries which comprise the sector to:

     • build export markets;
     • generate new jobs;
     • attract new investment;
     • improve the productive performance of the nation's businesses to internationally competitive levels;
     • collaborate, where appropriate, with international partners in export initiatives;
     • gain access to capital, where this is warranted because of financial market failures; and
     • pursue innovation.

118. Labor recognises the particular importance of a number of key industries in this sector and will develop focused industry strategies in these areas.

119. The Future for Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

119. The shift to an information age culture has transformed our world, creating opportunities and challenges and presenting advances that affect almost every aspect of daily life. Labor sees the ICT industry as an important source of economic activity, providing sustainable high-skill and high-wage jobs into the future. Labor recognises the significant positive contribution that the adoption of ICT has made to Australia's economic growth.

120. Labor is committed to putting in place industry development measures which help position Australia as a quality supplier of ICT products and services, building on the synergies to be achieved between developing the nation's ICT infrastructure and manufacturing capacity. In particular, Labor will seek to:

     • attract investment into this sector;
     • reduce foreign barriers to exports through active market access efforts and export promotion programs;
     • lift the nation's educational emphasis on, and jobs skills in, ICT;
     • encourage collaborative relationships between local business, educational institutions and government, building on the concept of Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) and geographical Centres of Excellence;
     • support a range of information technology investment initiatives, research and development programs and IT traineeships across a range of significant portfolios;
     • facilitate exports, consistent with our international obligations and commitments;
     • continue to grow Australia's strength as a quality exporter of information industry and technology education services; and
     • use the purchasing power of government to create opportunities for the local ICT industry.

121. Labor is committed to improving the access of all Australians, including those living in regional and rural areas, to the benefits of broadband connectivity. Compelling content, affordable pricing and effective competition will drive consumer take-up of broadband services, and the ongoing development of national and international network infrastructures will improve community access to a wide range of emerging content and broadband-enabled applications.

122. The public sector must be at the leading edge of online information provision and transaction processing. Labor will utilise the digital environment to improve access to government services without compromising service delivery.

123. Labor recognises that, in the information age, the key to fostering sustained growth is the protection and careful management of intellectual property. Online commerce and communication will only flourish if data is secure, ownership identified with certainty and privacy guaranteed.

124. Investment in technology and information based industries requires the development and enforcement of domestic law, supported by international treaties and agreements, for the protection of intellectual property and the regulation of electronic commerce. Understanding the importance of information security and data protection, Labor will:

     • encourage the widespread uptake of unique digital identities through mechanisms such as digital signatures;
     • support the use of encryption technologies to secure ICT services;
     • develop a framework to deal with information security issues such as information warfare, computer crime and cyber-terrorism; and
     • develop a strategy for the protection of Australia's national information infrastructure and its quick recovery in the event it is compromised.

125. Digital content in all of its forms—entertainment, education, marketing, presentation of information, applications and databases—is the interface between what Australia has to offer and the global economy. Strategies to achieve excellence serve a dual purpose, providing both a source of export revenues and an opportunity to showcase Australian talent and culture. An industry development focus on the production of digital content should assist in the rapid expansion of our capability in this area.

126. Labor will implement principles governing personal privacy. Action will include:

     • using international privacy principles as a minimum standard in a digital environment;
     • the regulation of information sharing in a corporate environment where mergers occur and particularly where databases are a core asset;
     • the independent regulation of data matching and its possible inclusion as a role for the privacy commissioner;
     • the standardisation of metadata with respect to publicly held information about private individuals; and
     • measures to reduce junk email or ‘spam', and the invasion of privacy that it represents.

127. Labor believes Australians should have the knowledge and the tools necessary to protect themselves from exposure to internet material that they consider inappropriate.

128. Labor will establish a national framework to provide academic, industry and community input into IT policy development.

129. Labor will encourage the application of new information and communications technologies to established industries to enable their successful transformation into world-class industries.

130. Enhanced measures to facilitate and encourage employee share ownership will be an important part of a successful, information industry development strategy.

131. Labor recognises the importance of protecting the security and privacy of publicly held information.

132. Tourism

132. Labor recognises that the tourism industry is one of the most significant employers in Australia, particularly for young people. It is one of Australia's highest export earners and generates immense goodwill for Australia with overseas visitors. Labor recognises that in a competitive global marketplace the priority must be to secure high yield tourism markets not just to increase the volume of tourists to Australia. Labor further recognises the important role that the business and educational tourism sectors play in the industry at a national level.
133. Labor recognises that in a competitive global marketplace the necessary co-priorities are securing high yield tourism markets and increasing the number of tourists to Australia.

134. Labor acknowledges the importance of strategic coordination between all tiers of government in the development of promotional and marketing activities, infrastructure and new job opportunities.

135. Labor recognises the opportunities which tourism can provide to regional Australia and supports strategic intervention by all levels of government to maximise these opportunities.

136. Labor recognises that there are many varied sectors within the tourism industry ranging from small businesses to international corporations, all of which cater for people with diverse needs and expectations.

137. Accordingly, Labor will:

     • improve industry workplace relations by introducing measures to enhance efficiency and productive performance in a cooperative manner;
     • ensure that taxation arrangements are conducive to the industry's growth;
     • amend the Export Market Development Grants to allow companies to apply for further grants to assist in the promotion of tourism to the emerging market economies of China, India and the Middle East.
     • ensure that environmental sustainability is central to tourism planning;
     • ensure that regulation and compliance costs faced by the industry are minimised;
     • improve the price competitiveness of Australian tourist destinations;
     • develop further the job skills of tourism workers and improve the standards and options available for training and education in tourism and related areas. This will include a full review of the duration and quality of apprenticeships and traineeships provided by the government and private sector;
     • work with industry to devise strategies aimed at promoting more permanent and less casual employment for young workers and attracting mature aged workers. This should ensure minimum standards of employment to workers including superannuation and combating cash in hand payments;
     • address the significant infrastructure needs of the sector, particularly in transport, encompassing aviation, rail, road and cruise shipping, and communications;
     • ensure that the benefits of tourism are spread throughout regional Australia, through targeted assistance to encourage job creation and economic development;
     • develop tourism strategies and policies which recognise that the sector is predominantly operated by small businesses;
     • recognise the need to provide a high quality product and ensure the guaranteed service delivery of quality product through a national accreditation system for operators that aims to eliminate rogue tourism exporters;
     • develop tourism projects to enhance the employment prospects of Indigenous Australians in areas in which they live and work in conjunction with the appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative bodies;
     • appropriately resource the marketing and promotion of the domestic tourism sector;
     • develop adequate tourist forecasting and research services and recognise the need to ensure that all marketing and promotional activities, as well as forecasting research are carried out without political bias; and
     • maintain adequate resources for marketing and promotional activities, particularly generic efforts related to Australia as a tourist destination, through Tourism Australia.

138. Labor recognises eco-tourism and heritage tourism as areas of significant growth in Australia and an effective catalyst for encouraging the tourism industry to be ecologically sustainable and responsive to our cultural heritage. Labor is committed to protecting Australia's unique natural environment and heritage as well as to the development of strategies designed to maximise the benefits and sustainability of both eco tourism and heritage tourism.

139. Increasingly, international visitors are seeking an opportunity to experience Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Labor will work with Indigenous Australians, their organisations and communities to facilitate growth in Indigenous tourism that respects their culture, and assists them to become more involved in this aspect of tourism.

140. Transport

140. Labor recognises that transport is a service industry in its own right, and not just an infrastructure network. Labor will seek to reduce foreign barriers to transport exports through active market access efforts and export promotion programs, and assist the growth of aviation and maritime transport as important export industries.

141. Education Services

141. Labor will assist the education services industry to build upon the successes in the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s and position itself as a supplier and a destination of choice in the booming international education market.

142. Financial and Professional Services

142. Labor acknowledges that the financial services industry has become increasingly outward looking since the early 1980s. Labor believes that, subject to the maintenance of quality and cost effective banking and financial services for Australian consumers, this trend should be facilitated by government. In particular, Labor will seek to reduce foreign barriers to financial services exports through active market access efforts and export promotion programs.

143. Labor supports the increasingly outward orientation of Australian professional services, such as health, legal, accounting, engineering and surveying services. Labor will seek to:

     • reduce foreign regulatory barriers to entry through active bilateral, regional and multilateral trade diplomacy; and
     • develop export strategies designed to win a greater share of the burgeoning international market for these services, particularly in East Asia, in partnership with the industries involved. The

144. Future for the Arts industry

144. Labor recognises the economic significance of the arts industry in Australia and its contribution to the nation's cultural capital. Since the 1960s the number of artists and arts workers in Australia has tripled and there are four times as many arts companies. Seven per cent of Australia's workforce now earns some of its income from arts work.

145. The arts give us a sense of pride and improve the quality of our daily lives. Labor recognises the contribution of the arts to our intellectual and cultural life, to our leisure time and to our economy through employment, tourism, taxes and export dollars. By nurturing arts industries, Labor acknowledges a significant investment in the future, ensuring a vibrant culture for the generations to come.

146. Small Business: Creating Jobs and Wealth

146. Labor supports reward for effort, risk-taking and entrepreneurship.

147. Labor supports the choice of Australians to pursue a career as independent contractors and small business operators. Australia's independent contractors and small businesses are vital contributors to national prosperity and job creation.

148. Labor recognises, as recognised by the ILO, that genuine independent contractors are governed by commercial law, while employees are governed by employment law.

149. Labor opposes sham contractor arrangements, where employees are re-classified as contractors by employers to avoid obligations such as superannuation guarantee payments, workers' compensation coverage and the payment of annual leave and sick leave entitlements. Labor will ensure that, as far as practicable, ambiguity and uncertainty regarding the nature of the contractual relationship is minimised.

150. Labor supports the principles behind the alienation of personal services income regime and will apply these principles with consistency and transparency.

151. Labor recognises that TCF workers and owner-drivers are among the most vulnerable groups of workers and accordingly commits itself to the maintenance and enhancement of existing protections for these workers.

152. Labor believes cooperative relationships between small business operators and employees can create the conditions for higher profitability, higher productivity, higher wages and better working conditions.

153. Labor recognises the difficulties faced by small businesses in recruiting and retaining suitable staff and, through its policies to ease skill shortages and wider labour shortages, will assist small businesses in overcoming these difficulties.

154. Labor supports competition in the business sector. Where market failure creates anti-competitive conditions Labor will legislate to promote competition. In particular, Labor will legislate effective protections against monopolistic pricing, collusive behaviour, abuse of market power, predatory pricing and unconscionable conduct. Labor recognises that collective bargaining can benefit the public by allowing small businesses and independent contractors to address imbalances in bargaining power with larger businesses. Labor believes small businesses and independent contractors should have choice as to who represents them in collective bargaining.

155. Labor acknowledges that small businesses bear an especially heavy compliance burden from government regulation and that small businesses are less well equipped than larger businesses to bear this burden. To maximise the economic dynamism that flows from the personal enterprise of small business operators, they must be relieved of excessive government regulation, subject to meeting their obligations to employees and their social obligations.

156. In recognition of the risks and heavier compliance burden borne by small business, Labor supports simplifying the tax system for small business and, where fiscally prudent, reducing the tax burden on small business.
157. Labor supports reducing business regulation affecting small business, including reductions in and greater harmonisation of federal, state and local government business regulation.
158. The viability of small businesses and independent contractors is highly sensitive to interest rate rises. Through its economic management and economic reform programs, Labor will put downward pressure on interest rates.
159. Labor recognises the imperative of small businesses and independent contractors to have access to low-cost, timely and informal dispute resolution procedures in respect of their employment and commercial disputes and will ensure that such avenues are available. Dispute resolution procedures will be able to deal with claims of unfair contracts.
160. Labor acknowledges that small businesspeople need ready access to low-cost advice when seeking to start new businesses or expand existing operations and will facilitate the provision of such advice.
161. Labor recognises the value of high-speed broadband in boosting the viability of small businesses and independent contractors and will ensure the provision of high-speed broadband through a national broadband network.
162. Labor recognises the important and growing role of women in establishing small businesses, including home-based micro-businesses. Labor will ensure that its small business advisory services are tailored to the needs of women.

163. The Community and Not For Profit Sectors

163. Labor acknowledges the social economy in Australia and the vital contribution it makes to Australian life—economy, society and politics. Labor acknowledges that the social economy has been overlooked in the reforms of government and business that have transformed Australia over the past 25 years.

     Labor acknowledges the important contributions of community organisations and the ‘not for profit' sector to the Australian economy and to Australians' quality of life. There are 700,000 non-profit organisations in Australia employing in excess of 600,000 people and contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy.

164. Labor, in consultation with the sector, and State and Territory governments, will encourage the development of a national regulatory framework for ‘not for profit' organisations that is fair, consistent and clear that:

     • stimulates the establishment or further development of a broad range of community or ‘not for profit' organisations;
     • does not attempt to inhibit the public advocate role of the sector;
     • encourages donor confidence;
     • sets a reasonable standard for public disclosure; and
     • establishes appropriate oversight of the sector.

165. Labor will work with social economy leaders to identify priorities for government action that will help the social economy grow, transform and once again become a powerhouse of social innovation.