Invest
Next step of COVID recovery begins with the budget, PM says
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has his sights set on a business-led economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, relying on deregulation to help grow Australian businesses.
Next step of COVID recovery begins with the budget, PM says
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has his sights set on a business-led economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, relying on deregulation to help grow Australian businesses.
In an address to the Business Council of Australia, Mr Morrison said investing $120 million into a deregulation package will help guide Australia’s economy out of its first recession in almost three decades.
The Prime Minister said the budget will kickstart stage two of the government’s National Economic Recovery Plan, which will be based on lower taxes, competitive policy settings for Australian industry, sensible industrial relations settings, deregulation, open trade and open markets.
“A plan that invests in our people and new technologies – whether it be in our manufacturing plan, our plan to become one of the world’s leading digital economies by 2030, and our plan to take full advantage of the big global energy transition that is taking place around the world,” the PM said in his address.
“A plan that very much puts business and the private sector in the driver’s seat for a durable and strong economic recovery.”

As part of this plan, Mr Morrison pledged he would strive to save individual businesses $430 million a year by reducing compliance costs.
“From well before COVID, deregulation has been an integral part of our economic plan. I’m tempted to say this is not a topic that excites many, including our political opponents, but it is one that our government believes in very deeply because we know how important it is to businesses doing business every day,” he said.
“We are determined to take unnecessary regulatory burdens off business, off employers, to unlock investment and to create jobs.”
The package will also streamline the regulatory burden for businesses reporting under the national greenhouse and energy reporting scheme.
This will reduce time spent preparing reports by around 70 per cent in some cases, benefiting more than 900 companies reporting on 7,500 facilities every year.
Mr Morrison will also streamline digital health services, reducing the regulatory burden on about 400 companies in the pharmaceutical, medical technology services and medical software industries.
Moreover, the PM said, 1,220 commercial fishing businesses will also benefit from the deregulation plans.
“You can have all the lofty communiques about regulatory reform you like, but ultimately it means working through the detail with those who have to live with this depressing level of regulation that prevents you from employing more Australians,” Mr Morrison said.
“The budget next month will lay out the next phase of Australia’s economic recovery plan, to grow our economy so we can deliver the jobs and guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on, and continue to keep Australians safe,” he concluded.
About the author
About the author
Economy
Financial pressures and the 'she'll be right' attitude delay Australian divorces
In a revealing study, the Real Cost of Separation Report 2026 by Real Insurance has uncovered a trend of 'quiet uncoupling' among Australians, with financial pressures and concerns for children ...Read more
Economy
Labour market resilience provides RBA room for manoeuvre, says State Street economist
In the wake of the latest Labour Force data release, State Street, a global leader in financial services with a staggering US$54.5 trillion in assets under custody and administration and US$5.5 ...Read more
Economy
Geopolitical tensions shape investor strategies in private markets
In the face of mounting geopolitical tensions, investors are honing their strategies in private markets, as revealed by the 44th edition of the Coller Capital Global Private Capital BarometerRead more
Economy
Ellerston sees investment shift as Middle East tensions ease and inflation persists
Amid signs of easing tensions in the Middle East with US-Iran peace negotiations progressing, albeit at a slower pace than desired by markets, investors are being advised to reevaluate their ...Read more
Economy
Global markets face stagflationary pressures amid rising inflation and diverging growth
In a recent macroeconomic report, the Franklin Templeton Fixed Income team has highlighted that global markets are increasingly encountering a stagflationary environment, characterised by intensifying ...Read more
Economy
Corporate capex provides solid footing for US equities, says ClearBridge
In a promising development for the US economy, corporate capital expenditures (capex) are playing a crucial role in supporting economic growth, according to Jeff Schulze, head of economic and market ...Read more
Economy
Brands turn to household care and laundry strategies to weather cost-of-living crisis
As the UK braces for a 13% hike in its energy price cap by July 2026 and US gas prices soar to a four-year high due to geopolitical tensions, the global spotlight is once again on the cost-of-living ...Read more
Economy
GDP data prompts State Street expert analysis on cash rate and trade surprises
In light of the latest GDP figures, State Street, a global leader in financial services with a staggering US$54.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and US$5.5 trillion in assets ...Read more
Economy
Financial pressures and the 'she'll be right' attitude delay Australian divorces
In a revealing study, the Real Cost of Separation Report 2026 by Real Insurance has uncovered a trend of 'quiet uncoupling' among Australians, with financial pressures and concerns for children ...Read more
Economy
Labour market resilience provides RBA room for manoeuvre, says State Street economist
In the wake of the latest Labour Force data release, State Street, a global leader in financial services with a staggering US$54.5 trillion in assets under custody and administration and US$5.5 ...Read more
Economy
Geopolitical tensions shape investor strategies in private markets
In the face of mounting geopolitical tensions, investors are honing their strategies in private markets, as revealed by the 44th edition of the Coller Capital Global Private Capital BarometerRead more
Economy
Ellerston sees investment shift as Middle East tensions ease and inflation persists
Amid signs of easing tensions in the Middle East with US-Iran peace negotiations progressing, albeit at a slower pace than desired by markets, investors are being advised to reevaluate their ...Read more
Economy
Global markets face stagflationary pressures amid rising inflation and diverging growth
In a recent macroeconomic report, the Franklin Templeton Fixed Income team has highlighted that global markets are increasingly encountering a stagflationary environment, characterised by intensifying ...Read more
Economy
Corporate capex provides solid footing for US equities, says ClearBridge
In a promising development for the US economy, corporate capital expenditures (capex) are playing a crucial role in supporting economic growth, according to Jeff Schulze, head of economic and market ...Read more
Economy
Brands turn to household care and laundry strategies to weather cost-of-living crisis
As the UK braces for a 13% hike in its energy price cap by July 2026 and US gas prices soar to a four-year high due to geopolitical tensions, the global spotlight is once again on the cost-of-living ...Read more
Economy
GDP data prompts State Street expert analysis on cash rate and trade surprises
In light of the latest GDP figures, State Street, a global leader in financial services with a staggering US$54.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and US$5.5 trillion in assets ...Read more