I first wrote here in 2013 that state and federal politicians should be required to undertake a week of genuine paid work experience in a small business in their electorate every year. I have shared this here and elsewhere several times since. I believe it today more than ever.
This next federal election will likely go as many before it when it comes to small business. we will be told how important we are, that they will cut red tape and that they support us. No matter who forms government, it’s likely that little will change when it comes to small business.
While they are happy to visit small businesses, have their photo taken, shake some hands and move on to the next photo op. each visit is stage managed to show them engaged with small business. I say this from personal experience. 16 years ago John Howard and a huge entourage of poress and local politicians visited my shop in Forest Hill for an hour. The coverage was good, and there were good opportunities to talk. The visit was about the GST. None of the small business points raised in the visit were followed up. The shop was a prop.
Here is my proposal to all politicians for this federal election:
I propose a legislated annual “Real Work Week” for all state and federal politicians. This program would require each politician to spend one full week working in a randomly selected small business within their electorate.
The ‘wage’ earned by the politician is paid to a local charity chosen by the business owner.
Besides the practical work experience, the politicians would gain a better understanding of the life and challenges of everyday Australians.
I am confident that after a couple of years we would see this small business work experience program drive a more practical narrative from politicians of all sides- and not just a small business focused narrative but one also more connected with real life.
Local independent small businesses cannot match the resources of well-funded lobbyists. However, we can equip our politicians with the invaluable currency of real-world experience. This “Real Work Week” is about restoring a vital connection between our elected officials and the people they serve. It’s about ensuring that political decisions are rooted in the realities of everyday life, leading to a more equitable and prosperous future for all Australians.
One way to get to better government no matter who is in power is better educated and better experienced politicians. What I propose here is experience. Even this small experience could make a big difference.
For the record: This post has been written and authorised by Mark Fletcher, Richmond, Victoria.