Michael McCormack is now the new Small Business Minister.
Meet Australia’s new Small Business Minister, Michael McCormack.
McCormack, who is the Nationals federal member for Riverina, tweeted he was “honoured” to take on the role and is looking forward to meeting many of the successful small businesses.
“Having owned and operated my own small business in Wagga Wagga for more than eight years, I understand firsthand the vital role small business plays in many local communities,” said McCormack
“Since coming to Parliament, I have seen how the Coalition’s small business policies, including the instant asset write-offs and a lowering in the company tax rate, have seen an increase in confidence, investment and jobs in the Riverina electorate’s small businesses.
“I am very excited to take on this role and cannot wait to meet with as many small businesses as I can, right across Australia, to hear of their successes and work with them in growing the sector into the future.”
The Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) welcomed the announcement, but stressed concern that the small business portfolio has moved from cabinet.
“Mr McCormack has the confidence of the sector, however we are disappointed the portfolio has moved from cabinet and we will be seeking answers to why this has happened,” said Peter Strong CEO of COSBOA.
“Small business is powerful, employing around five million Australians and driving the country’s economy, so why has the portfolio moved? What’s happened and what pressures have caused this, perhaps big businesses and unions, are in play?
“In our opinion this is a step backwards for small business,” he said.
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell also welcomed the new appointment, as well as Turnbull’s pledge to make small business engagement a key performance measure of his Government.
Carnell said she will look to meet with the incoming 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,” Carnell said.
“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’.”
McCormack replaces outgoing Small Business Minister Kelly O’Dwyer, who was also the Assistant treasurer.
Both Strong and Carnell praised the work of O’Dwyer, whose new title is Minister for Revenue and Financial Services.
