Morrison wants to ease path for business

Treasurer Scott Morrison is seeking an inquiry into what difficulties businesses may be facing to prevent them investing and taking on more staff.

"Business investment is critical to economic growth," Mr Morrison said in a statement on Thursday.

"When firms are empowered to invest in new productive capacity and technology, it supports innovation and helps create new opportunities and employment for Australians."

The treasurer has written to the chair of the House of Representatives economics committee, Liberal MP Sarah Henderson, requesting the spotlight be put on issues like taxation policy at both the Commonwealth and state government level, energy policies and supplier payment times.

Business has already told the government regulation and compliance costs are a major impediment to investment.

"The Australian government has cut more than $5.8 billion of red tape and will continue to search for opportunities to go further," Mr Morrison said.