Tuesday, 10 March 2020 

Aaron Morey,

CCIWA Chief Economist

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA is disappointed with the State Government’s decision to strip the supply of some health services from the private sector.

This decision, which will come at considerable expense to taxpayers, was justified on the basis that the State’s finances have improved and it can now be afforded. This runs counter to the State Government’s messages on fiscal repair.

As the Government has argued, reaching a surplus is only the first step in paying off the State’s net debt. And as current global events show, there are always fresh challenges to maintaining a surplus position.

CCIWA also rejects the implicit assertion that private providers are incapable of putting patients first.

If we are to make progress as an economy and as a society, it is important that we move beyond outdated industrial debates about the role of private enterprise.

The Government has an ambitious jobs target and wants to be on track for that target come the next election. The business community will play a key role in this, not only in growing new jobs, but also in protecting and retaining current jobs in the face of current global headwinds.

Now is not the time to divide sections of the community. Now is the time for us to work together to build a more prosperous Western Australia.