Treasurers in conversation – panel discussion
L–R: Adrian Dwyer, Dominic Perrottet and Tim Pallas
Treasurers in conversation Key points: • • •
The states require more autonomy in infrastructure funding. Reformist states should be rewarded for their efforts. Further targeted reforms and continued investment in infrastructure are required.
Panellists: ► The Hon Dominic Perrottet MP, Treasurer of New South Wales ► The Hon Tim Pallas MP, Treasurer of Victoria
Moderator: ► Adrian Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia
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Adrian Dwyer (AD): New South Wales and Victoria have been the key drivers of 28 years of uninterrupted economic growth – the longest run in the developed world. From each of your perspectives, what’s underpinning that success, and how optimistic are you that we can continue that to three decades and beyond? Tim Pallas (TP): One of the things that’s underpinned the economic growth of the nation has been the sort of reforms cemented in the 1980s and 1990s, and we’ve been the proud beneficiaries of those. Whether it’s floating the dollar, regulating our banking networks, or the movement towards enterprise bargaining. Increasingly, the challenge for us is where we go next in terms of reform, because we will get ever-diminishing returns and productivity out of past generations of political intervention. We must recognise that with growing populations in New South Wales and Victoria, particularly in our capital cities, we’re going to have to make further and better provision for
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