ABSTRACT
The role of governments (Federal, State and Local) in the ‘greening’ of industry is critical, since it is governments which largely control the political, regulatory and fiscal regimes within which industry is required to operate. This chapter outlines a range of policy areas in which governments could make changes which would foster the development of ‘green’ industry. As a result, ‘green’ companies are forced to compete on a playing field which is far from level, both in their competition with existing (non-‘green’) industries in Australia and with overseas ‘green’ industries for both the domestic and export markets. Increased support for ‘green’ manufacturers from environmental and consumer organisations and their membership is essential if sustainable industry is to be expanded. Similarly, the conditions governing industry ‘Research and Development’ (R&D) grants should be amended to reduce the minimum annual company expenditure on R&D nom $30,000 per annum to a more appropriate level for small businesses.
