Govt not short-sighted on policy, Marles A SENIOR federal minister rejects suggestions the Labor government doesn't have take long view when developing policy. The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has released 10-year plan for a stronger economy that urges the major parties to look beyond the short term and focus on the longer national interest. "We are now at a crossroads and are facing tough decisions to avoid slipping back in the world on tax, workplace relations, skills, education, health, infrastructure and regulation," BCA president Tony Shepherd said. Trade Minister Richard Marles says the BCA will play a key role in Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's plan to develop a national competitiveness agenda that brings together business, unions and government. "We have our mind open to this kind of long range thinking," Mr Marles told Sky News on Wednesday. We do look at how we can place the country in the best position, not just for next week or next month, but the next decades ahead. Mr Marles pointed to Labor's decision when it won government in 2007 to commission a root and branch review of the taxation system, overseen by former treasury secretary Ken Henry. "It was long reaching and visionary in its scope," he said. We have been implementing parts of that review throughout our time in office. The BCA represents the nation's top 100 CEOs. It's calling for the budget to be brought back under control, a more efficient tax system and less regulation. Opposition MP Jamie Briggs says business is over regulated and the coalition will reduce $1 billion of red tape if it wins government this year. "We have also got a plan to live within our means," he told Sky News. Ultimately, spending more money than what you have is a generational theft. It is putting off making the hard decisions to the next generation and it makes us weaker as a country.