President Obama has announced that the Head of the Small Business Administration will now be a Cabinet position, elevating the status of small business in government and providing greater attention to small business issues.
I’d like to see the Australian government elevate the position of small business oversight and government. For successive governments we have been let down.
It amazes me that small business is not
an “inner cabinet” position in our govt.
When you consider the 80% of the workforce that we employ it is anathema
to me that big business always has the
govt’s ear and small business is put into
the “too hard basket”.
Ultimately, of course, we have to accept that we are the people orchestrating our own future by NOT having unity.
We have underestimated the value of a
lobbyist for our industry and have let the
ball go “through to the keeper”.
The duopoly have the ear of the govt at all times (and access to the govt money box) and one wonders whether or not that
is a cause for concern like drug companies
who court doctors and give incentives etc
for the dr. to prescribe their particular drug or equipment.
I have never heard of a small business person being asked to join a trade mission
or the like in my state and I suggest that
it would be the same federally.
We are far too casual about our pollies and
we do not call them to account anywhere
near enough.
June
I agree regarding the lack of emphasis on Small Business and not showing any accountability and leadership that I am aware of.
Blind Freddy can see what small business is up against – Overheads, Beauracracy/Red & more Red tape. Its a one way street.
If we had a Full time Federal Small Business Minister, its time to think outside traditional ideas, outside the box.
I see no hope on the horizon however one example for small business with a turnover less than 2 million P.A would be any Capital / Infrasrtucture spent in a F/Year could be offset by the GST that we may have to pay the Government, any left over we get a credit.
Turnover versus Rent should be calcalated properly.
Mandatory yearly increases should be the true CPI not the 5% or more one pays. These are some of the areas that we need help on and backed by the only one’s that can help and that is sadly Governments who like you said is the to hard basket. A smart Government would be working on these feverishly now, in a few years Small business will need a rock solid foundation to hold the fort.
Derek … SMART is the key word in your comment. We have not had a SMART government when it comes to small business for decades unfortunately.
I would even be happier if the CPI was calculated in a reasonable way. Unemployment statistics are questionable, housing sales statistics are questionable, and one size DOES NOT fit all in many many areas that the government(s0 are trying to make us all conform to. TOO MUCH regulation everywhere
That is right h, too much regulation is right and it is not Small Business friendly, possibly it it anti small business and favours for eg: Shopping Centres, Lessors, Government Agencies.
A comment came out via the Media today regarding the real economy situation, Statistics as you indicated are being interpreted the way the current Government wants them to be seen (Of course this has gone on since we were born)
However their is some cause for concern, mainly because financially the scales are being held up on one end by one single sector and that is the resources sector. Government is putting all their eggs in one basket.
It would be nice to have an elected Federal Government being proactive in housing and small business, bank reform.