MELBOURNE—Gas and uranium producers have called on the new Labor Government to help grow their industries as business groups look forward to further reforms to free up the Australian economy.
The Business Council of Australia (BCA), which had actively campaigned against Labor's industrial relations policy, says it's confident of having a "very good relationship" with prime minister-elect Kevin Rudd.
"Quite frankly, we look forward to working with them in a very productive way to take this nation forward," BCA president Greg Gailey told Sky News.
The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), which did not take part in the campaign against Labor, said Mr Howard had a powerful legacy.
But chief executive Heather Ridout also praised Mr Rudd's rejection in his victory speech of old-fashioned divides like those between business and labour.
"Ai Group fully embraces this thinking and we will seek to work constructively with him and his colleagues to take Australia forward," she said.
Mr Rudd brings enormous energy, an authoritative intellect, a strong sense of social justice and an understanding of Australia's position in the world, she said.
"These qualities will serve him well as he seeks to establish new directions for Australia," she said.
The uranium industry wasted no time in calling for Labor to free up the development constraints on its industry.
"The removal of current constraints on uranium expansion is a business regulation issue, which Mr Rudd has indicated is one of his main priorities for the first year or so of his government," Australian Uranium Association (AUA) executive director Michael Angwin said.
A reform of the regulatory environment was critical if Australia was to remain competitive on an international level.
"We strongly support that approach - the reform of the regulatory environment for uranium mining is critical if the Australian uranium industry is to be competitive internationally," he said.
Mr Angwin said other countries were rapidly developing their uranium resources to meet growing world demand.
Australia - which has about 38 per cent of the world's uranium resource - must follow suit.
"The principal business regulation constraints affecting uranium expansion are administrative bans on mining, in Western Australia and Queensland, and legislative bans in Victoria and NSW, both of which have laws banning uranium exploration and mining," Mr Angwin said.
"There is no basis for continuing with constraints of either kind."
Gas explorers and producers urged the government to boost development in the sector.
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) said it would work with Labor to implement a strategy developed by the industry and the out-going government, as outlined in the Platform for Prosperity report.
"Much of the intent and objectives of the strategy have been embraced by the Government, but there is a great deal of work to do over the next 12 months in putting meat on the bones," APPEA chief executive Belinda Robinson said.
The Government must do more to encourage exploration for gas in Australia's vast, frontier basins and to kick-start liquefied natural gas projects.
Ms Robinson also called on a Rudd Government to implement a robust emissions trading scheme, saying emissions could be substantially cut with a minimal effect on the economy.
"The ALP's recognition of the vital role Australia's enormous natural gas resources can play in producing cleaner energy, both internationally and domestically, is a particularly welcome development," Ms Robinson said.
Meanwhile, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) urged Labor to move quickly to help more than 1.2 million Australian households in "housing stress" by increasing the supply of affordable housing.
"The policies announced by Labor now need to be implemented as soon as practicable to assist aspiring home owners as well as the homeless and those battling rental stress," HIA managing director Dr Ron Silberberg said.
The HIA said several Labor policy commitments were important to addressing affordability, including home saver accounts, a housing affordability fund, a national rental affordability scheme, and $150 million for community housing groups.
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