Independents Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor, and Bob Katter hold a very crowded list of interest groups that are wanting to discuss with them. The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has just joined in.

The Ai Group's chief executive Heather Ridout said, “Certainly we will be communicating with them, and seeking to work with them very closely.”

According to Ridout, the market leader in industry representation will be presenting issues such as the Henry tax review, climate change, population, and broadband network.

Ridout emphasized that some of the policies of the Australian Greens would be harmful to business. She pointed at the plans for corporate tax hikes and industrial relations.

“We'll be urging the Greens to better understand the fact that we need to preserve the competitiveness of Australian industry, whatever deal's done.” she said.

The nation's leading industry group remains optimistic a minority government will result in more policy action. Ridout said the group “might actually see some progress” because they “had a lot of straws in the wind.”

Ai Group maintains a close affiliation with more than 50 other employer groups. The group directly manages a number of those organizations. The combined strength of the group and affiliates represents the interests of approximately 60,000 businesses across Australia and the world.