It is good to see the federal government elevate the position of Minister for Small Business to Cabinet. This move is long overdue. Hopefully Brendan O’Connor, the new Minister for Small Business, uses the higher profile for the benefit for the small business constituency.
Start up smart has good coverage of the appointment.
I would prefer the Minister for Small Business to have had small business experience. O’Connor’s website indicates he is a lawyer with a trade union background. I think there should be a cap on the number of lawyers who can be parliamentarians. I’d set the cap at 10% for each major party.
Time will tell what kind of Minister for Small Business Brendan O’Connor will be. Here is what I would like to see him push on behalf of small businesses:
- An urgent review of Fair Work with a view to eliminating casual employee penalty rates in roles sought out by people not looking for full time work. This could cut labour costs for newsagents on Sundays in half.
- A genuine reduction in government red tape. Successive governments have promised this. None has delivered.
- Strengthening laws and processes for ACCC in dealing with unconscionable conduct and unfair treatment of a big business over a small business.
- A government wide campaign to purchase everyday office items from local businesses. Yes, selfish but we should try! We should match with a national pricing offer.
- The introduction of an annual pool of funding for small business start ups with generous tax concessions. They fund films to attract spending here why not businesses?
- Establishment of fixed interest working capital funding for small businesses.
- Development of portable bank accounts and capping loan exit fees – to make switching banks easier.
- Ensuring genuine small business representation at government events, discussions and roundtables – too often politicians of all sides suck up only to the big end of town.
- Focussing on IT by way of tax concessions for 100% Australian owned companies under $10M in annual revenue creating intellectual property in Australia which aids business productivity. Yes this is a selfish idea (I own and IT company) but it is also smart. A stronger IT industry will bring money to our shores, reduce the brain drain and boost business productivity. Get this right and we could deliver more benefits for the economy than mining.
- And to kick start small business and businesses which provide them with equipment and services: a once-off investment allowance in any productivity improving investment such as plant and equipment, knowledge or people.
I wish Brendan O’Connor well. I hope he goes into the portfolio with a small business focused agenda and that he is a man of action. The sector certainly needs this.
I would like to see a cap on the amount of ex Union people in Gvt.
I would like to add – do something about the disgusting situation with Australia Post. Allowing a govt run institution to suck money and business away from families like they do is, well, disgusting. There’s no other word for it really.
Also, there’s nothing wrong with being selfish Mark, big business afterall lobbies govt for exactly what suites them, not what is good for the country.
Nice post MARK
Baz – It should be always be based on Merit, but then their is Politics.
Shayne – You beat me to it – You are so right, it is disgusting.
I wonder what ANF/VANA’s strategy to engage with Mr O’Connor is?
Oops I forgot about Australia Post. The problem is that both sides of politics see it as off limits. On the one had they tell us to compete and then don’t live by this mantra themselves.
Just going back to wages and part timers why can Coles NOT pay double time on Sunday yet small business must? Have I missed something