Business Council of Australia

The Business Council of Australia (BCA) is an employers' organization, which represents the chief executives of approximately 100 large Australian corporations. It was formed in 1983 by the merger of the Business Roundtable - a spin-off of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia - and the Australian Industry Development Association. Its current president is Michael Chaney who also serves as Chairman of the National Australia Bank. The organisation is headquartered in Melbourne.

Its stated reason for existence is to give the business community a greater voice in public policy debates about the direction of Australian society.

tructure

While all members of the Business Council have equal representation, decision-making is often delegated to the Board, Council Task Forces and the Secretariat.

Board

The BCA Board has responsibility for the administration of the Secretariat and makes recommendations to the full Business Council on issues concerning membership and Task Force appointments. It is also responsible for identifying policy issues, proposing the Council's policy agenda, and general agenda-setting and policy-making.

Current Business Council Board members are:
* Greg Gailey, President, Business Council of Australia
* Tony D'Aloisio, CEO, Australian Stock Exchange
* Geoff Dixon, CEO, Qantas
* Angus James, CEO, ABN AMRO
* Katie Lahey, Chief Executive, Business Council of Australia
* Charlie Lenegan, Managing Director, Rio Tinto - Australia
* Rod Pearse, CEO & Managing Director, Boral
* John Stewart (Australian businessman), CEO & Managing Director, National Australia Bank

The Secretariat comprises the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and six Directors to support, co-ordinate and facilitate the work of each Task Force. Research assistance and secretarial support is also provided. Current secretariat members are:

* "'Ms Katie Lahey, Chief Executive
* "'Ms Melinda Cilento, Deputy CEO
* "'Mr Patrick Coleman, Director Policy
* "'Ms Allesandra Fabro, Director Policy
* "'Ms Freya Marsden, Director Policy
* "'Ms Maria Tarrant, Director Policy
* "'Mr David Walker, Director, Strategic Communications and Advocacy

Policy

The BCA supported many of the Howard government's policies, including its industrial relations reforms [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/business-council-backs-ir-reforms/2005/10/11/1128796495386.html] . The reform agenda of the BCA ranges from industrial relations such as WorkChoices and tax reform, to the more controversial full privatisation of major national and state utilities such as the Snowy Mountains Scheme. It also advocates the privatisation and commodification of water rights. It has also backed the development of an emissions trading scheme, and advocated higher pay for outstanding teachers.

The BCA lobbies the Australian Government and the Council of Australian Governments to effect policy changes.

Membership

As of 2007, membership of the BCA totals 106 companies [http://www.bca.com.au/Content.aspx?ContentID=100830] , and includes Australia's national telecommunications carrier, Telstra, as well as the 4 major banks - National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ and Westpac

ee also

*Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
*Council of Australian Governments
*List of Australian companies
*National Competition Policy

References

External links

* [http://www.bca.com.au Business Council of Australia official website]