At a small business forum in Brisbane on Monday evening, Federal Small Business Minister Craig Emerson was asked about the looming reintroduction of penalty rates. After protesting at being ambushed by the question, he went on to demonstrate a good grasp of the issue but offered no comfort to the small business owners in attendance.
The Minister requested a full written submission from QNF on the issues and has undertaken to try to pursue the matter. This is a good outcome – if he honors his undertaking.
The changes to rates are a challenge for newsagents since around 75% of what we sell is at fixed price – meaning we have less capacity to manage our businesses to better cope with chunky penalty rates.
I am told that following the meeting there was discussion with the Minister about the status of the ANF in representing newsagents. Those participating made it clear that the ANF does not represent the majority of Queensland newsagents.
I am grateful to colleagues in Queensland for sharing information about this.
Thank you for this info, Mark.
Can I add that the QNF has also been very involved with the Shadow Minister for Small Business, Steven Ciobo, who came and addressed the recent QNF Conference on the issues facing us from this legislation.
Keeping in close contact with both sides of the Parliament should keep the issue on the boil for when the budget session resumes next month.
Great to see the QNF pushing the point so hard. Being a National issue, one might have thought the ANF might want to get involved, but no, once again it appears to be better to leave these items to the States to battle!