Getting down to business with the new minister

code, financial planning, industrial relations, funding guide, commitments, proposal, Ombudsman, ASBFEO Kate Carnell, amnesty, superannuation, cabinet, small business payments funds, eligibility, asset, write off, workplace relations, APRA, fair dismissal code

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell has congratulated incoming Small Business Minister Michael McCormack on his new appointment, and has welcomed the Prime Minister’s pledge to make small business engagement a key performance measure of his Government.

Ms Carnell said she will look to meet with the incoming Small Business Minister in the near future, to brief him on the work of the ASBFEO office, and the pressing issues facing the sector.

“Mr McCormack will be a strong advocate for the sector, particularly in rural and regional areas; I congratulate him on his new role and look forward to working with him to assist in the continued creation of policy and legislation that allows this vital sector to grow, innovate and employ,” Ms Carnell said.

“While the portfolio has been moved to the outer ministry, I have every confidence all ministers sitting around the Cabinet table will have small business at the forefront of their minds when it comes to making decisions impacting on the sector.  As the Prime Minister himself said, ‘every minister is a minister for small business’.”

“I’d like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the outgoing Small Business Minister Kelly O’Dwyer who has done an outstanding job in raising the profile of small business issues, particularly in highlighting the impact the recent Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s (RSRT) Payments Order had on mum-and-dad small business operators,” she said.

Ms Carnell said she expects the term of the 45th Parliament to be an exciting and productive one for the small business sector.

“Certainly, the views held by the crossbench are quite diverse, but the one thing that they do all have in common is their support for small business operators,” Ms Carnell said.

“Their small business policies are really strong and very positive, so there’s fertile ground there for the Government to work with the Opposition, along with the minor parties and independents, to develop and pass legislation that sets small business on the path to success both now and well into the future.

“Government is the art of the possible, and certainly the passage of legislation giving tax breaks to businesses with an annual turnover of up to $10 million will be a huge win and a strong vote of confidence for small business.

“I’m also optimistic about the implementation of the competition effects test, and am hopeful of seeing parliamentary support for the Government’s youth jobs PaTH programme,” she said.

Ms Carnell said she has written to the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, along with the minor parties and independents, offering to work closely with them to ensure small business policies are a priority.

“I intend to make certain all MPs understand the opportunities and obstacles facing small businesses; in other words, I’ll work with all politicians so they know what small businesses need in order to simply get on with the business of running their small business,” Ms Carnell said.