Top 100 ideas to grow South Australia. Part 1

SOUTH Australia should embrace a nuclear future to help prop up the state's stagnating economy.

The vision for a nuclear future for SA was one of the many ideas thrown up by 50 of the state's finest minds when asked by The Advertiser 'What reform or change is urgently needed to grow the state economy and jobs'.

Other ideas thrown up by the 50 participants focused on lower taxes, help for small business, becoming more advanced technologically and ending of support for industries that could no longer sustain themselves.

TELL US: How should we improve out state's growth?

Some of the more left-field ideas proposed to kickstart the economy included, lifting the ban on genetically-modified foods, changing the time zone to bring it in line with the eastern states, and building a new performing arts venue.

South Australia's London-based agent general Bill Muirhead believes SA is the perfect place for Australia to start-up a nuclear industry, for both economy-boosting and environmental reasons.

"As a state with an estimated 40 per cent of the world's known deposits of uranium, it makes sense for South Australia to be striving to become the world experts on nuclear power, '' said Mr Muirhead, who was also a founding partner of global advertising giant M &C Saatchi.

"Given these vast deposits and that South Australia is one of the most stable places in the world geologically and politically, it could be argued we have a responsibility to ensure the safe disposal of the nuclear waste our uranium produces.''

The concept of a domestic nuclear industry was also seized on by Defence Teaming Centre chief executive officer Chris Burns who predicted the state could become the "future Dubai of the world" if it went nuclear.

The panel of 50 had diverging ideas when it came to supporting the state's car industry.

Allen Bolaffi, president of the SA chapter of the Australia-Israeli Chamber of Commerce, advocated abolishing stamp duty on locally-made cars for 12 months and also proposed a system to allow payroll tax credits for new employees for their first year.

However, Adelaide University vice-chancellor Warren Bebbington said the state could no longer afford to pay to keep uncompetitive industries on their feet.

"Stop propping up dying industries and instead expand support for the education sector, one of its largest employers and biggest export earners, '' he said.

The theme of lower taxation ran through many answers.

AHA general manager Ian Horne said the state had to reduce WorkCover costs, as well as land and payroll taxes.

"SA must reduce the cost of doing business in this state, " he said.

1 - Develop a nuclear research and disposal facility to help address the greatest environmental and economic challenge of our time.

Bill Muirhead AM

Agent-General for South Australia

2 - Adelaide's creative industries are an opportunity in the global information economy. Supporting digital entrepreneurialism will help make Adelaide an international brand.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood

Adelaide City Council

3 - I see the thousands of people that come out for the arts every March (and) I feel like Adelaide could definitely benefit from at least one other major performing arts venue.

David Sefton

Adelaide Festival Director

4 - Stakeholders across all sectors must collaborate to attract economic benefits and awareness, using the State brand logo as the foundation.

Karen Raffen

Chief Executive Advantage SA

5 - Abolish stamp duty on locally made cars for 12 months, allow payroll tax credits for new employees for 12 months and become an investment-friendly state.

Allen Bolaffi

President Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce SA

6 - Confirmation of new defence contracts to underpin expansion of South Australia's defence manufacturing sector, plus bi-partisan support for additional Australian Government co-investment to secure GMHs Elizabeth operations till 2020.

John Spoehr:

Executive Director Australian Workplace Innovation and Social Research Centre

7- Less red tape and bureaucracy to increase business confidence and more certainty in political direction - in short, real leadership.

Ron Tomlian

Chairman, American Chamber of Commerce (SA)'s Council of Governors

8 - SA must reduce the cost of doing business in this state by cutting workcover costs, land and payroll taxes significantly and permanently.

Ian Horne:

General Manager, Australian Hotels Association (SA)

9 - Competitiveness in automotive and beyond requires smart cost reduction. We can't control the dollar, but we can ease energy prices, and lift productivity with more flexible workplace laws and continuous innovation.

Stephen Myatt

Director, Ai Group SA

10 - Deregulation - stemming the growth in new regulation, cutting back existing red tape to boost productivity in our state and the rest of the nation.

David Spear

SA Manager, Australian Institute of Company Directors

11 - We need to increase investment and confidence by promoting SA as a can-do place as demonstrated by the outstanding major projects currently under construction.

Steve Grieve

SA President Australian Institute of Architects SA

12 - Health, disability services and aged care are key growth areas - we need to train people for the jobs that are coming. We also need to be smarter with our precious health dollars, spending money where it will bring proven health outcomes.

Dr Patricia Montanaro:

President, Australian Medical Association (SA)

13 - With a forecast $20 billion cost to the National economy by 2020, congestion and its impact on business and public health continues to be an increasing barrier to prosperity and productivity. An accessible, affordable and efficient public transport system will be critical to the creation of more liveable cities that encourage cycling and walking.

Christian Haag

Chief Executive, Bicycle SA

14 - Foster industry clusters composed of high growth technology companies in a supportive environment with thriving universities and the necessary supporting services. These clusters have the potential to generate a high economic impact with respect to exports, capital attraction and jobs.

Bio Innovation SA

15 - The Government must have a real plan to ensure a budget surplus as soon as possible. This includes helping small business by reducing the cost of doing business. If small businesses can thrive they will increase investment, the economy will grow and with it jobs will be created.

Rick Cairney

Director of policy, Business SA

16 - One of the biggest challenges is the re-skilling of the workforce. SA is service-dominated and with the slowing of manufacturing and the mining sector, these workers need to acquire new skills or build on their existing skills to remain employable.

Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide

17 - Flinders University would welcome private and public sector support to see Tonsley become a magnet for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Professor Michael Barbe

Vice-Chancellor, Flinders University

18 - Consistent and transparent investment in infrastructure across the state will drive productivity growth and provide huge employment and economic benefits.

Caroline Argent

General Manager, Engineers Australia

19 - The food industry is the backbone of the South Australian economy, make the industry appealing to new entrants and those wishing to further invest.

Catherine Barnett

CEO, Food SA

20 - Direct a proportion of Government spending to companies with head offices in SA, decrease Government regulations, increase government efficiency and become the can do state.

Kent Aughey

Chairman, Family Business Australia (SA)

21 - South Australia has the world's most expensive electricity and the world's largest single uranium resource. Safely utilising this should be top priority and would transform SA's economy.

Financial Services Institute of Australasia

22 - If we can fix the public transport system, then more people would use it creating more jobs in the system and we could even make the vehicles here.

Margaret Dingle

Secretary, People for Public Tranport

23 - I would suggest reducing taxes and paperwork for small businesses and allowing more flexibility in employment requirements - in fact, why not provide a significant tax deduction for every business that can employ 2 people .5 of the time.

Dr Iris Iwanicki

State President, Planning Institute of Australia (SA)

24 - A sharp focus on the Industries which will provide growth and putting the infrastructure and skills in place to stimulate that growth.

Rob Kerin

Chairman, Primary Producers SA

25 - People. We urgently need population growth to drive demand and economic vibrancy, and to stave off a workforce crisis.

Nathan Paine

Executive Director, Property Council of Australia (SA)

26 - Strong political leadership, with a clear vision for the future, which is eloquently and passionately communicated.

Leigh McClusky

President, Public Relations Institute of Australia, (SA)

27 - Security of employment for people working in both the public and private sectors will inspire spending confidence, as will boosting youth employment programs.

Jan McMahon

General Secretary, Public Service Association

28 - A long term transparent commitment to infrastructure projects that goes beyond electoral cycles to deliver safer roads, reduce congestion and guarantee jobs in SA.

Ian Stone

Managing Director, RAA

29 - Reduction in the cash rate by the Reserve Bank is not enough stimulus-reduce property taxes to stimulate investment activity in SA

Greg Troughton

Chief Executive, Real Estate Institute of SA

30 - The development of recreational fishing has huge potential economic benefits, particularly for regional tourism. But this will require the injection of appropriate funding, either user pays or government.

Brenton Schahinger

Chairman, RecFish SA

31 - Implement an easily understood credible 'Buy Australian/South Australian' program that allows consumers to make good decisions about supporting local producers and reward their behaviour.

Phil De Courcey

Chief Executive, Resources and Engineering Skills Alliance

32 - Reduction of business taxes and red tape would enable sustainable growth and promote business migration to SA. Prosperous industry = jobs growth.

Sally Neville

Chief Executive, Restaurant &Catering SA

33 - Deregulation would increase productivity, reduce state debt and interest burden by shedding "no value adding" public service jobs, invest in infrastructure and housing creating jobs.

Frank O'Neill

President, Rotary Club of Adelaide

34 - Retail, hospitality, tourism and small business would all increase employment considerably if penalty rates for casuals and part-timers were removed.

Eric Grainger

Acting Chairman, Rundle Mall Management Authority:

35 - Infrastructure (port and power) to accelerate mining projects. Minerals are SA's largest export, but the industry's potential is far greater. The government must provide a vehicle to address this; enabling the pipeline of projects and creating wealth and jobs.

Jason Kuchel

Chief Executive, South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy

36 - Government needs refocus on agriculture so it can continue to be a leading export income earner and grow.

David Basham

President, South Australian Dairyfarmers' Association

37. Foster and retain young creative professionals and companies by embracing creativity and innovation as cornerstone of state strategic planning and branding.

Richard Harris

CEO, SA Film Corporation CEO Richard Harris

38 - Better transport infrastructure for all modes and improved access for heavy vehicles will benefit the economy and create jobs.

Tony Grant

Chairman, SA Freight Council

39 - More needs to be done to lessen the impact of rising power and water prices on our sporting and community groups across the state.

Leigh Whicker AM

Executive Commissioner, SANFL

40 - More support for small business. Lift efficiencies, reduce waste, preventative health measures resourced, inventors patterns and inventions' royalties kept in Australia.

Kevin Kaeding

President, South Australian Residents and Ratepayers Associations Inc

41 - Reverse the basic skill decline in SA's schools, or we will lack adults with skills necessary for 21st century jobs.

Gino Amato

President, SA Association of State School Organisations

42 - There are high costs in undertaking a business (Work Cover, payroll tax, utility charges etc) and confidence is low, we need sound and certain policy that supports industry.

Brian Smedley

Chief Executive, South Australian Wine Industry Association Incorporated

43 - Swapping to local products and stores will support existing businesses and give young entrepreneurs a foothold to get started. The end result is jobs.

Dan Smith

Manager, South Australian Young Entrepreneur Scheme

44 - Encourage bigger business to move to Adelaide and put more funding into metropolitan road infrastructure for more efficient road transport.

Kon Fourtounis

Taxi Council of SA

45 - Reinstate the $1.6 million State Government funding for Education Adelaide, which we are tipped to lose from 2015-16 onwards, and we generate more than that from our work.

Chief Executive, Education SA Denise von Wald

46 - Embrace a nuclear power debate, abolish the GMO food ban, invest more in wheat science; and get business friendly by scrapping the 30 minute time zone.

David Travers

Chief Executive, University College London

47 - Stronger investment in partnerships between universities and industry to provide both innovation and education opportunities locally and across the Asia-Pacific.

Professor Allan Evans

Acting Vice-Chancellor University of South Australia

48 - Stop propping up dying industries and instead expand support for the education sector, one of its largest employers and biggest export earners.

Professor Warren Bebbington

President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Adelaide

49 - We need to open our eyes to the nuclear industry. We should be digging it up, leasing it to the world and bringing it back for burial. We could be the future Dubai of the world.

Chris Burns

Defence Teaming Centre:

50 - It is a no brainer that we have all these international connections and we need to look outside the state to capitalise on these links we have.

Francis Wong

Chairman, Council International trade and Commerce SA