Successive state Labor governments around the country have presided over deep cuts to the margin made by newsagents and other small businesses on the sale of transport (Myki) tickets. This started in 2004 in New South Wales.
In Victoria, the Labor State Government presided over what I would label as preferential treatment given to 7-Eleven to lower their operating costs in selling and recharging transport tickets. What they facilitated for 7-Eleven they denied for newsagents.
The election of a Liberal National Party coalition government in Victoria is an opportunity them to demonstrate their often claimed support for small business. They could do this by ensuring that small business newsagents receive fair compensation for the sale of transport tickets. By fair compensation I mean an increase in real terms to the retailer margin on the sale of transport tickets instead of the decrease presided over by the Labor government.
While there are many other moves the new Coalition government in Victoria could make in support of newsagents, ensuring fair compensation for the sale and recharge of transport tickets would be a good start.
For what it is worth, fair compensation is my mind is 7% of ticket price.
Unless you get a strong and unified voice, and a protest on the steps of parliament wouldn’t hurt, then good luck. Often I have seen farmers, nurse, ambos and others airing their voice on tv. Never newsagents.
Small business owners are all busy with their own business, they don’t have time to do that, that’s the reason i guess.
Jono, and farmers, nurses et al are not busy. Having lived on a farm I can say the hours are just as long as a newsagent, pretty much 24×7.