Small Business Minister Michael McCormack says that Labor should back in the Government’s changes to the Competition and Consumer Act if they are genuinely interested in levelling the playing field for small businesses.
“The Access to Justice Bill is the first time the Labor Party has shown any interest in Australia’s small businesses in a very long time,” McCormack said. “Sadly, like a lot of Labor policies, it sounds good in theory but lacks any actual policy and practical understanding.
“Labor’s Bill over-promises and under-delivers by encouraging litigation as a first resort without considering the costs to business or the courts and by ignoring the real problem that our competition laws need to be strengthened.
“This latest Labor thought-bubble is a half-hearted attempt to address a serious competition problem which exists in the market – a problem the Government is seeking to fix by strengthening Section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
“If Bill Shorten and Labor are serious about helping small business and levelling the playing field, I will welcome their support for fixing Section 46.”
The Government’s changes to Section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 are designed to ensure small businesses compete on their merits against businesses with substantial market power.
“Our proposed changes – as recommended by the Harper Review – will help small business compete with the big players in the market,” McCormack said.
“I call on Labor to work with us and fix the law, to level the playing field, to deliver changes sought by small businesspeople throughout Australia.”
Inside Small Business
