Let’s see if either party is prepared to commit to a Small Business Act to make Australian businesses competitive and successful again – they already have such legislation in the USA and the UK.
At a time when both sides of politics are telling all the voters that they are the ones best positioned to look after the business owners in this country, we need them to make a clear statement of exactly why they think they are the best choice for the top job and how their proposed policies are going to benefit those in business.
From a business owner’s perspective, why is it that it always seems to take three years in Government to figure out the rocket science? That if business is doing well then they will be investing in technology, new equipment and creating jobs for workers?
The Labor Party have also finally realised that its businesses who employ the workers they say they represent, and if they aren’t doing well, there won’t be any jobs for them, so they too are now pushing the small-business barrow.
It’s obvious that if business is thriving the companies will be paying more taxes on the profits they retain, the owners and their employees will be paying income tax, and their customers will be buying more, so GST income increases and so it continues to generate more income for the Federal and State Governments.
I don’t think there are too many of us that would disagree with this formula for success.
Isn’t it interesting then that, all of a sudden, the politicians are focusing on the business sector in their campaigns to win Government? There is the banter of growth and jobs from one lot, and the other is saying they are putting people first, and that too must mean creating a climate for the business sector that creates jobs for the people. Where else would they be able to get a job?
Some of the things they are now both saying they are going to do should have already been in place. That should be part of the day-to-day job of governing our country, not waiting until election time and then promising the earth. The general public and the business community don’t believe them anymore.
The Small Business Act is the answer. We could compare any proposed Government legislation with The Small Business Act to see whether that legislation is fair to the future survival and competitiveness of Australian businesses and helps protect Australian Jobs, before that legislation is brought in.
A typical example is the current $1000 GST threshold on overseas imported goods. This would never have gone through if a Small Business Act had of been in place at the time. Today it is the most damaging piece of legislation in our country and one that needs to be fixed immediately, made number one priority after the 2 July election.
Let’s see if either party is prepared to commit to a Small Business Act to make Australian businesses competitive and successful again – they already have such legislation in the USA and the UK.
Eddie Peters, Managing Director, The Honda Shop
