Book Description

In a modern industrial democracy like Australia, the interests and operations of government and business inevitably intersect. No government, federal or state can afford to ignore the needs of business. But what are these needs, how does business express its needs to government and what institutions organise government-business relations in Australia? How should government regulate business, or should it choose to let the markets rule? Government and Business Relations in Australia brings together many of Australia's leading academics and commentators, to address these critical questions. The book examines the key players in the game - federal and state governments and business groups; and the processes that govern the relationships between them. It looks at the regulatory regimes which impact on business, such as the Trade Practices Commission and the Prices Surveillance Authority. It includes chapters which consider the nature of the government-business relationship in the financial and manufacturing sectors and small business. It also includes an important new chapter on the ethics of the government-business relationship. There is currently no text covering all the aspects of government-business relations in Australia. This books fills the gap.