G2B: Chief Minister’s Message

The hosting of landmark events has become big business around Australia drawing business, tourists and exposure to cities and regions. Canberra is no exception to this. In recent years the hosting of high profile exhibitions, sporting matches and special events has added significantly to the Territory's economic and cultural life. Our centenary year in 2013 was an obvious highlight but...

Canberra businesses have the confidence, expertise and products to make a mark in Singapore and right through South-East Asia. Canberra exporters are making an impact on the world stage and bringing to life the opportunities that are emerging from our vibrant innovation and knowledge intensive economy. It appears uncertainty from the contraction of the Commonwealth public service has only strengthened...

The 2014-15 ACT Budget recognises the important role that local businesses will play in the Territory economy over the coming 12 months. The Budget has been framed by substantial Commonwealth cuts and the ACT Government has had to respond to the impacts on our economy and on our own finances. Unlike other regions in Australia that received significant support packages...

The ACT Government has a big pipeline of major infrastructure - and we're exploring new and innovative methods to build and operate these projects, including the Territory's first Public Private Partnership (PPP). Last month I presented to key industry and infrastructure stakeholders on the ACT Courts project. This project is significant as it currently under consideration as the ACT's first...

Last month I announced the establishment of the CBR Innovation Network to grow, innovate and create jobs. Innovative start-ups and companies with the potential for rapid growth will benefit from this initiative with industry stakeholders helping shape the services provided for entrepreneurs and innovation focused companies. This new approach is the result of a workshop held by the Economic Development...

Over the coming six weeks all eyes will turn to the Commonwealth Budget and its implications for the Territory. The employment and spending cuts expected to be inflicted by the Commonwealth's Commission of Audit and 2014-15 Budget are creating uncertainty in Canberra - making households and businesses more cautious to spend and invest. There is no doubt that economic growth...

Canberra's business sector is known for its innovation and so it is no surprise that several of our success stories have received national and international attention recently. It was announced in January that Canberra-based company Lithicon had been sold to US company FEI for $AU76 million. Lithicon, a world-leading digital imaging and analysis company, was a result of the integration...

Canberra's centenary year has been both a celebration of our past and an opportunity to envision our city's future. Here in the Territory we have a very bright future. We're different - and we're different in the best of ways. From a business perspective we have unique offerings: world-class research and educational institutions, unrivalled access to government, a well connected...

The need for an integrated city brand has been something that many in the public and private sectors have been acutely aware of for many years. For too long we have let our identify be shaped by others, without a strong grasp of what makes this city great. There is a need to shift perceptions of Canberra and to encourage...

Through the foresight shown in our first 100 years Canberrans live in a great city, with services and infrastructure that are the envy of many around the world. As we come towards the end of our Centenary year now is a good time to consider what services and infrastructure should be priorities for our second century. To do this we...

It's no secret that much contemporary business innovation is technology-reliant, particularly in a city such as Canberra - dominated as we are by the services sector. This innovation isn't confined to the private sector. The expectations that Canberrans have for public service provision are also being influenced by new digital technologies and digital platforms, and by changing private sector service...

Unnecessary and illogical red tape is an understandable source of frustration for local businesses, which is why the ACT Government is making progress on reducing it. Last month (August) the Red Tape Reduction No.1-Licence Periods Amendment Bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly, and as a result real estate agencies, motor vehicle repairers and travel agents now only have to...

To make it easier to do business in the Territory the ACT Government is now giving local firms a leg up when tendering for government contracts. Last month a new criterion was introduced for the evaluation of all goods and services tenders for ACT Government work, which supports small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the capital region. The criterion puts...

The Centenary is a great time to reflection just how far Canberra has come in its first 100 years. The Territory economy has grown to around 2 per cent of the Australian economy. Our community is, on average, the best paid, best educated and healthiest in the country. We have the opportunity to further increase economic growth through a focus...

Australia's federal system involving the eight state and territory governments and the Commonwealth can create confusing and potentially conflicting requirements for businesses operating across borders. But now, for the first time, businesses thatoperate in the ACT and other jurisdictions can go toone online service - www.business.gov.au/ablis - tounderstand their compliance obligations. The Australian Business Licence and InformationService, ABLIS, was launched...

Canberra is a world leader in public sector administration. It's the centre of Australian public policy - providing leadership in the development of innovative public sector solutions and services. Our private sector has grown to meet the needs of the public sector, and in so doing, has developed world class capabilities around corporate governance, public policy, security, public service delivery,...