Who wins the marginal seats will determine the upcoming election and the vote of small business people in these seats cannot be underestimated.
Small business people will play a critical role this Federal election, in which they count for large numbers of voters in marginal seats. COSBOA will focus on the small business community being informed on key policy issues, and will agitate for transparency to be at the heart of this election.
Small business people make up between 8% and 16% of voters, on average around 11.7% per electorate. This is significant when margins are as low as 0.2% for contested seats. There is no denying that the vote of every small business owner and those working for them will count.
Small business represents a significant number of voters in marginal seats across Australia. For example, in the seat of McEwen, Vic, there is a 0.2% margin and the small business community makes up 9.4% of voters. In Eden-Monaro, NSW, the margin is 0.6% and small business is 11.3% of voters, while in Capricornia, Qld, the margin is 0.8% and small businesses make up 11.6% of voters.
It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of a Federal Election and focusing on the major two parties, but communities need to look to at the individuals who will representing their community and what they stand for.
Small businesses impact everyone’s day-to-day lives, from local accountants, gyms, cafes and grocers to health practitioners and owner drivers. We need a government with a clear direction that includes key policies to support small business, then the entire community benefits and Australia’s cultural fabric gains strength.
The importance of being informed on policy when casting a vote cannot be stressed enough. Small business drives the economy and supports a diverse culture. To disadvantage this sector would be disastrous.
The key policy issues that need to be front and centre for small businesses in the upcoming election. These include competition, workplace relations, telecommunications, B2B communications, health, training, financing and superannuation.
Above all else we believe the main election theme needs to be about transparency in government.
There must be an end to secret big union and big business influence on policy and process. It is not just small business people that suffer from covert influence, it’s also medium businesses, non-employing independent contractors and Australian workers. The economy cannot be managed effectively in back rooms and dark places.
More information about COSBOA’s wishlist for the election is available here.
Peter Strong, CEO, Council of Small Business of Australia – COSBOA
