Login or become a Shortlist subscriber

Budget lacks the reforms recruiters need most

The Federal Budget promises "more jobs" but lacks any real plan to address critical staffing issues, recruitment and business leaders say.

"The popularity of low unemployment is ubiquitous, however creating jobs does nothing to assist with an already strained market due to skills shortages," says Matthew Munson, NSW managing director at Talent.

"[The] Budget will continue to build capacity in the economy; however, business has been left with a long road to recovery without significant reform to address chronic workforce shortages and languishing productivity," adds ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar.

Shortlist sets out key announcements from Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's speech and the Budget papers below, along with more responses...