Australian Business Associations: New Opportunities and Challenges

This paper reports and analyses the findings of interview based research dealing with the changing rôle of business associations in Australian politics and public policy. The paper argues that the traditional rôles and the context in which such associations operated are now rapidly changing. New challenges and opportunities now present themselves. The challenges include the winding down of traditional industrial relations and tariff administration work, as well as a much tougher and more complex lobbying environment. The opportunities include the possibility of higher levels of associational coöperation. The paper concludes by exploring new options for associational activity, including research based advocacy, expanding the range of services to members, and coöperative alliances with the state.