The Business Council of Australia contributed to discussions at a forthcoming productivity roundtable in Canberra, highlighting that productivity growth over the past decade has been the lowest in 60 years. This participation reflects the organization's engagement in public and political debates on economic efficiency amid growing concerns over labor outcomes.

The Business Council of Australia, led by CEO Jennifer Westacott, called for comprehensive tax and regulatory reforms—including changes to the GST and a progressive reduction in the corporate tax rate—to boost economic growth and investment. While the proposals promise increased wages and revenues if successful, critics argue that they primarily serve corporate interests and risk undermining broader social and labor protections.

The Business Council of Australia released its 'Seizing the Moment' report urging federal and state governments to implement a range of reforms—from raising GST and overhauling the tax system to streamlining education funding and boosting business investment—to modernize Australia’s economy and improve productivity amid global competition. Critics argue that these proposals prioritize corporate interests and risk undermining progressive labor and social policies.

On September 3, 1983, the Business Council of Australia was launched at a high-profile gathering in Sydney, attended by cabinet ministers, state premiers, union leaders, and international ambassadors. The event, hailed by then-Prime Minister Bob Hawke, marked the beginning of a coordinated effort to amplify business voices in shaping public policy.