MEA Federal Budget response

Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has released a Federal Budget response, claiming the announcement of welfare packages is an “election sweetener” that will adversely impact business growth and therefore jobs.

The MEA expressed concern at the government’s dropping of the 1% business tax cut, which it said would be well received despite not being a large reduction.

However, it welcomed the $1 million loss carry-back for small business, accelerated depreciation of small business asset write-offs and the National Partnership Agreement on Skills Reform package.

“What was clearly missing in the budget announcement was a focus on how we lift productivity and break the downward productivity trend,” said MEA CEO Malcolm Richards. “MEA has been concerned for some time that the rigidity of the Fair Work Australia legislation is impacting on Australia’s productivity and needs urgent review.”

Richards also highlighted concerns about rising business costs, increased licensing requirements for electricians and the carbon tax.