In my first monthly column for Canberra Daily, I would like to introduce myself. I am Greg Harford, the new Chief Executive of the Canberra Business Chamber, and my role is to speak up for business here in the ACT; to make sure that both the Territory and Federal Governments are aware of the issues facing business here; and to help businesses connect with each other.
I am settling into my new role and, as a new arrival in Canberra, I am very pleased to be here. I have been visiting Canberra regularly for years, and I have always liked the beautiful outdoor environment, our seasonal climate, our great restaurants, and our monuments and museums.
Before taking on my new role at the Chamber, I had not appreciated what a significant contribution business makes to life here in the Territory. There are around 33,000 businesses in the ACT, and around two-thirds of jobs in Canberra are in the private sector. While Canberra is a government town, ultimately, it’s private businesses that generate massive economic activity, pay the wages and salaries of most people who live here, and deliver the services to government that help keep Australia moving forward. I’m proud to be championing all those businesses, and the great work they do here in Canberra, and beyond.
As I have been out meeting businesses over the past few weeks, the big challenge I’m hearing about is workforce. Businesses need to employ workers so they can provide services to customers – but there are lots of businesses here in the ACT that are really struggling to find the people they need to fill roles. This is acting as a handbrake on businesses that find themselves caught in a Catch-22 situation, where they can’t grow without people, yet can’t find the people they need to grow. Ultimately, the lack of skilled workers is limiting the opportunities for everyone in the ACT, because businesses can’t grow to their potential.
Canberra’s an amazing city, but I think we can do better at telling our story to other parts of Australia, and even beyond. We need to be letting people know that there’s far more to Canberra than parliament and the public service. We need to let people know that there are massive opportunities here in the private sector. And we need to be selling Canberra as a great and safe lifestyle destination for people looking for a change.
As the voice of business, the Canberra Business Chamber is out and about working with the ACT and Federal Governments on a range of issues. Ultimately, what’s good for business is good for communities, and we all need business to be successful.
- WITH Greg Harford, CEO Canberra Business Chamber
