The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) congratulate Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party on their return to government and stand ready to work together to improve conditions to allow Australia’s vital $430 billion retail sector to invest, grow and create jobs.
ARA CEO and CEO Designate of the Australian Retail Council (ARC) Chris Rodwell says Australia’s retail sector contributes almost one fifth of our Gross Domestic Product – and employs one in 10 workers, making it the largest private sector employer.
“Retail performance impacts every Australian and it’s clear that we need strong economic leadership to support the sector through a challenging climate. Alongside the cost-of-living crisis, retailers have battled through years of rising costs – from rent and wages, to energy, insurance, transportation and all kinds of supply chain impacts.
“Retailers are particularly keen for the government to take measures to lift flagging productivity and to see the cost-of-living relief measures flow through to the checkout.
“In recent months retailers have also had to come to grips with the impact of the US tariffs,” says Mr Rodwell. “This is a huge shock for retailers, exacerbating supply chain and cost pressures. For many, especially smaller retailers there is limited capacity to absorb these costs. It will be tough for them to stare down the pressure to raise prices in the coming months. While we recognise the government has limited options to deal with this volatility in its negotiations with the United States, it does have the capacity to offset impacts by redoubling efforts to reduce the red tape and cost burden of Australian businesses.
“The ARA and NRA stand ready to support a co-ordinated national effort to promote higher productivity because it is the foundation stone for a strong economy and improved living standards. It is critical we seize the moment in this term of government as our nation can’t afford for the agenda to slip into the 2030s. The state of our economy and national finances reflect it is already overdue.
“Another area where we need a nationally co-ordinated effort is to deal with the scourge of retail crime. Retailers and the workers across the sector deserve greater security than they currently experience. The human and economic cost of this crime is unacceptable. We need a dedicated national retail crime strategy and consistent, specific protections for retail workers.”
The ARA and NRA is also keen to help Labor accelerate its election commitments to small business support, workforce development, energy affordability, digital transformation, cybersecurity and innovation.
Mr Rodwell also said important gaps remain unaddressed around industrial relations reform and workplace protections.
“While there is much we can co-operate on, we remain concerned about potential government intervention in setting penalty rates as it risks undermining the role of expert decision-making bodies in delivering a fair, flexible and productive industrial framework,” he said.
“The ARA and NRA extend their appreciation to the outgoing Leader of the Opposition and former Member for Dickson, Peter Dutton. He has an extraordinary record of public service to our nation, across so many areas. His warmth and determination have been enduring across this span of service. We wish Mr Dutton and his family well in their next chapter,” said Mr Rodwell.
Australians have given Anthony Albanese a clear mandate on national security and economic stability in a volatile world
“The Australian Industry Group congratulates the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the Labor Party on their clear victory in the 2025 election, held at a time of increasing economic and geopolitical uncertainty,” said Innes Willox, Chief Executive of national employer association the Australian Industry Group.
“The re-elected government will need to deal with our current national economic and security challenges, which have become increasingly complex. The challenges for Mr Albanese’s new government will be immense.
“This is the toughest time in a generation to be a business. The economy is growing at its weakest pace since 1991, when Australia was last in recession, with only surging public spending keeping our head above water,” Mr Willox said.
“We have seen a significant uptick on business closures – 151,000 established businesses last year – driven by the steady decline in profits, increased costs and rapidly growing regulation.
“Boosting our productivity, which will ensure future Australians have better living standards and higher wages, must be a national priority.
“Our tax system is crying out for real reform and we need a connected and coherent skills system which future proofs the workforce,” he said.
“Industrial sectors, which are key to reaching our net zero aspirations and addressing the housing crisis, face very difficult conditions and need urgent assistance to enable them to become more internationally competitive and resilient.
“Ensuring we have an affordable and reliable energy system at a time when it is under enormous stress must be a priority for the government,” Mr Willox said.
“None of these are new problems, but the international context makes them more urgent and harder to achieve.
“Each day sees more global trade disruption, greater market interventions, the building of trade barriers and the risk of global conflict. As a highly trade-exposed economy, we will not be immune to the consequences of the rapidly changing global landscape,” he siad.
“As a nation we will need to address these issues sooner rather than later. We look forward to working with the new government to allow our businesses, employers, their employees and communities to prosper.
“We would also like to acknowledge the long service and contribution to Australia by Peter Dutton across a range of difficult government portfolios and as the Leader of the Opposition. We wish him and his family all the best for their future,” Mr Willox said.
Business Council welcomes re-election of Albanese Labor Government
The Business Council congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his historic victory and looks forward to working constructively with the Government at a time when Australia faces many challenges.
“I congratulate the Government on its election victory, and confirm business stands ready to roll up its sleeves and assist in working through the biggest challenges facing our nation,” Business Council Chief Executive Bran Black said.
“We face so many global and domestic uncertainties and challenges – from tariff imposition to changing demographics – and so we must control what is within our scope to control, and that means establishing policy settings that facilitate national prosperity by supporting businesses to thrive.
“This Parliament must prioritise a productivity agenda that unlocks investment and growth in the private sector, which is ultimately the only way to sustainably boost living standards and lift real wages.”
The BCA welcomed the Government’s actions in its last term on enhancing trade opportunities and on leveraging the federal balance sheet to support State and Territory productivity agendas, amongst others.
The BCA also welcomes the Government’s commitment to reform environmental approvals to deliver processes that improve outcomes for both business and the environment.
“If we want a more productive economy, with more houses built and more projects to help achieve a successful energy transition, then fixing our cumbersome environmental approvals system is a must-do,” Mr Black said.
“These actions, along with harnessing AI, creating better investment attraction settings and achieving a balanced approach to industrial relations are all fundamental to boosting productivity and increasing prosperity for all Australians.”
The BCA’s Big Five priorities for this term of Parliament are improving living standards, increasing skills, boosting housing supply, delivering sustainable health and care services, and achieving an affordable and reliable pathway to net zero.
“Business is at the heart of the solution to each of our greatest challenges and opportunities – with six out of every seven workers employed by the private sector, and 80 per cent of Australia’s economic output coming from businesses of all sizes,” Mr Black said.
“I also want to recognise Peter Dutton’s distinguished record of public service and thank him for his significant contribution over more than 23 years and wish him well for his next steps.”
