Policy priorities, economic insights and advocacy shaping WA business
From fighting to protect WA’s GST share to pushing for housing reform and bringing business perspectives to decision makers, we have been working on the issues that matter to WA businesses.
Here’s an overview of our policy, economics and advocacy work over the past quarter – and a glimpse of what’s coming next.
Our policy priorities
Fighting to keep WA’s GST share
In September, we submitted a response to Commission’s review.
Why this matters to WA businesses: $6 billion a year is on the line if the deal is lost, putting essential infrastructure, education and health services at stake, as well as the potential for higher taxes.
In a recent win, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed to keep the deal while he was visiting WA in late August. And Western Australians are backing our campaign, with more than 20,000 signing our petition calling on the Federal Government to keep the GST deal.
Next steps: We’ll continue to work to ensure the Prime Minister keeps his commitment.
What’s on our policy radar
AI use in workplace claims
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has seen a sharp increase in general protections and dismissal claims where employees have intentionally misused AI to draft supporting documents.
Why this matters: Despite many claims having no legal basis, they are costly for employers, a drain on the FWC’s resources and extend timeframes for genuine claims to be heard.
Next steps: Further reform is required to address this, as the cost and time required for businesses to defend applications from employees is significant and growing.
Housing shortages constrain business
The planning process for land releases and housing developments is slow and costly for developers and aspiring homeowners. In September, we made a submission to the Productivity Commission’s housing supply regulation inquiry.
Why this matters: Better housing availability will benefit businesses by ensuring skilled workforces can find long-term accommodation. It will also increase WA’s liveability, which helps attract and retain skilled workers and future entrepreneurs.
Next steps: We will continue to advocate for improved regulation and streamlined approvals.
Economic insight
Capturing the business and consumer outlook
Our next Business Confidence and Consumer Confidence surveys are underway, to capture businesses’ and consumers’ current economic circumstances, expectations and concerns.
Why these matter: These findings inform our economic analysis and policy discussions at the highest levels, including senior decision-makers, central banks, Federal and State governments and business leaders.
Next steps: The results will feature in upcoming editions of our Business Confidence, Consumer Confidence, Outlook, Regional Pulse and Business Strategy reports, providing valuable insights into the conditions facing the WA economy.
Engaging with industry on economics
CCIWA Senior Economist Leo Prendeville presenting at the Western Australia Internal Audit Conference in September.
Our Economics team recently hosted an Economic Society of Australia’s WA branch event featuring Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Agency Head Dr David Gruen.
Our economists also presented statewide at Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry of WA events, corporate member strategy sessions and business conferences.
These engagements help businesses understand the economic forces shaping WA and apply the insights to their strategies, while giving us firsthand evidence of business conditions to share with senior policymakers.
Making sure WA businesses are heard
Credit: The West Australian, August 15, 2026
To government: We were front and centre in the fight to keep WA’s share of the GST, working closely with a bipartisan group of State and Federal MPs to ensure our message is heard in Canberra.
We also met with State and Federal Ministers to discuss topics including industrial relations, environmental approvals, retail trading hours and fuel prices.
In the media: CEO Will Golsby held a joint press conference with Premier Roger Cook and Deputy Premier Rita Safiotti when the Productivity Commission released its interim GST report, condemning the report’s findings as part of a “Team WA” approach.
Your voice shapes our advocacy
Our work is strengthened by the experiences and insights of WA businesses. Take part in our surveys, share the issues affecting your business and help us ensure your business is heard by government and decision makers.
See more of our work here. Have something to share with our Policy, Economics and Advocacy team? Contact us at [email protected].
