ADIA Advocacy Agenda Defines Pathway For Industry Growth

Getting government to slash business red-tape is the key focus of a reform agenda being launched today by the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), the peak representative body for suppliers of quality dental products.

"The dental industry is made up of businesses that range in size from small family entities through to local operations of large, multinational therapeutic product suppliers. They share common aspirations for the growth of their business, the creation of jobs and the financial sustainability of the dental industry. These goals are hampered by red tape, new taxes and charges compounded by difficulties in creating a harmonious workplace," said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.

In response to escalating government taxes and regulation, the ADIA Advocacy Agenda sets out the reforms necessary to support the growth and profitability of businesses within the dental industry. The 2013 ADIA Advocacy Agenda is pursuing seven main priorities that include:

• Cutting business red tape
• Streamlined government procurement of healthcare products
• Best practice dental product regulation
• Internationally harmonised dental product regulation
• Complementary dental practitioner regulation
• Creating jobs in a flexible workplace
• Attracting, recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce

ADIA policy is developed by, and on behalf of, members in pursuit of an vibrant dental industry where government supports business whilst removing excessive and sometimes redundant regulation. The seven policy priorities outlined in the 2013 ADIA Advocacy Agenda are directed towards securing these outcomes, and through them, the growth and profitability of member businesses.

The first policy propriety is Cutting business red tape. Here, ADIA has partnered with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) to secure favourable outcomes for the dental industry by reducing financial and administrative burdens on businesses.

The second priority is advocacy for Streamlined Government Procurement, where ADIA will pursue reform for a nationally uniform specifications and procurement infrastructure that allows the dental industry to supply products in a timely manner, whilst reducing costs and improving efficiencies for the public sector.

Another priority of the 2013 ADIA Advocacy Agenda is for Best product regulation. ADIA is committed to ensuring that the regulatory standards for medical devices are appropriate with the level of risk associated and that the approval process is streamlined.

Further to the interest of supporting the growth of member businesses, ADIA is also pursuing internationally harmonised product regulation, where the regulatory framework should support the international distribution of products that have already been deemed safe by a competent jurisdiction.

In recognising the symbiotic relationship between the dental industry, and dentists and allied oral healthcare professionals, ADIA is also committed to advocate for complementary practitioner regulation in order to ensure that government-mandated practice guidelines for healthcare professionals that compliment regulatory standards for the supply of dental products by industry.

Part of creating and maintaining a sustainable dental industry is the need to attract, recruit and retain a skilled workforce. The 2013 ADIA Advocacy Agenda formalises making targeted investment in training and skills development a priority for economic policy.

Related to attracting a skilled workforce is also the priority of Creating jobs in a flexible workplace'. Here, the goal of ADIA is to develop a workplace relations framework that is fair and delivers economically responsible standards and behaviours.

"ADIA provides leadership, strategy, advocacy and support. Our members set our agenda, fund our activities and directly benefit from the results," Mr Williams concluded.

The ADIA Advocacy Agenda can be downloaded from www.adia.org.au/advocacy