Graham Kraehe

Recent Speaker

Chairman Bluescope Steel

March 22, 2011

"Australian Manufacturing – An Industry under Siege"

In recent years, Australia has been one of the best performing economies in the developed world, thanks to the resources boom, the strength of our financial system and our relatively low debt levels.

Our record terms of trade are driving strong GDP growth but also negatively impacting large sections of the economy, particularly trade exposed businesses, retail and tourism – the other side of our two speed economy.

How we address national policy issues, such as taxation, productivity, infrastructure and skills shortages, will have a major impact on the strength and shape of Australia’s economy post the resources boom. No issue is more complex, with potentially a bigger economic impact, than how we reduce the carbon intensity of our economy.

Mr Graham Kraehe, Chairman of BlueScope Steel and Brambles, and a Director of the Reserve Bank of Australia, will discuss these issues in his address to the National Press Club. Mr Kraehe has been a leading figure within Australia’s business community for more than 40 years, primarily within the manufacturing sector.