Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It was part of the answers too, Senator O'Sullivan. Can we also talk about non-compete clauses. They're a cost in the economy, and a proper review of how non-compete clauses operate in employment contracts would significantly add to the Australian economy. It has done so in the United States in the implementation of those policies.

Can I briefly talk about technology investment in that capacity as well. The Tech Council of Australia last week released a report that suggested there's significant opportunity to improve productivity and economic growth in our economy by investing in technology. We accept that much of that investment must come from a private-sector perspective but public sector has a role to play here too. That's where the government's National Reconstruction Fund, a $15 billion fund to help businesses improve their technological capacity, comes into it. That will give us the ability to continue to invest in technologies that improve productivity, drive economic growth and bring down inflation.

This is the broader point. Those opposite oppose these policies and they oppose investment in the economy, and then they come in here and talk about how productivity is languishing. These investments take time. The government's got its priorities right and it's got a plan that's good for our economy.