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Hi ,
Last week (June 4th) I attended the National Small Business Summit in Sydney. It was a big event, although more low key than last year's pre-election showcase. While the politicians were there, it was interesting that there was only one member of the government that turned up, and that was just for the dinner the night before. Draw your own conclusions. Here is a summary of some key messages to give you the flavour of the event.
Honourable Dr Craig Emerson-Minister Innovation Industry Sciane & Research:
After spending considerable time bagging his predecessors, his big promise was a review of red tape as part of the current taxation review. Reference was made to the budget allocation of an additional 20,000 training places to ease the skills shortage and future plans to increase training. There was little detail on plans and nothing that was new. To be fair, this early in a new governments life, that, perhaps is what should be expected.
Mr Tony Steven - CEO Council of Small Business Australia
There are 2.2 million small businesses in Australia, with many more owners who are also voters. These business have a total value of $4.3 trillion, which demonstrates the potential power of this group, if only they could organise themselves.
Opposition Leader Dr Brendan MP:
A survey in May 08 showed that only 10% have faith in government business policy versus 47% who don't. The survey shows that 35% believe the policy works against small business compared with 17% last year. There has also has also beem a 72% fall in general confidence in the economy. In the recent budget, the government cut $1 billion of small busienss assistance programs, including cuts to support to tourism industry which has 10,000 small businesses. He contrasted that to increases in support to the auto industry. He also announced a new coalition policy which would allow capital gains tax rollover relief for small business owners who sell their businesses when they retire.
Chairman ACCC Graeme Samuel:
Discussed current issues relevant to small business such as taking people to court who use competitors names in their Google advertising. (I wrote on this in the Australian Small Business Blog last year.) He also discussed the impact of cartels, such as Visy packaging on all small business. He continued to encourage small business owners to use the exemption in the Trade Practices act to collectively bargain with large suppliers. Only 7 exemptions were requested last year. He referred to current actions on predatory pricing and refusal to supply. He also discussed the current grocery enquiry which is underway and commented that there was a lot of contradictory information being submitted. This is a work in progress.
Mr Steven Ciobo MP, Shadow Minister for Small Business
There are over 4 million employees in small business, and any future business growth may well be jeopardised by what the government does about the exemption for unfair dismissal for small business. The days of payment of 'go away money' may well be coming back. The best thing government can do is get out of your way.
Mr Bob Stanton- Chairman of the Council of Small Business Australia
He has heard over the years from all politicians about how they are going to cut red tape. He said: "It is a croc." He said no government to date has seen fit to put a Small Business Minister in cabinet. Cabinet is where all the decisions are taken, and a government's seriousness on any issue can be judged by which ministries are in cabinet. He demanded that the Opposition Small Business minister hold the government to account. (This was very forthright- no punches pulled.) Unfortunately, there was no one from the government there to listen.
There were many other sessions of interest, but for me one of the highlights was a panel discussion between John Symond - MD Aussie Home Loans, Margot Spalding - Director Jimmy Possum Furniture, and Paul Cave - Chairman Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Each discussed the obstacles to success they faced with many inspirational stories. One of the most intersting was Paul Cave's inspiration for the Habour Bridge climb. It was his father-inlaw, who as a child took the first train across the bridge when it opened. They camped out overnight to be first in line. Paul showed everyone the ticket- which was bequeathed to him- it was numbered 00001. He keeps it in his wallet and is heavily insured.
One interesting common experience from each, was their fights with bureaucracy, and how their success was in-spite of, and not because of government. They said that government financial help was tied with so many strings and took so long for so little, that it was of no value to them. There were lots of great stories- I guess you just have to be there next year.
If you want to find out more, please contact me.
Just one special mention to my prime webhost, Snapsite (www.snapsite.com.au) who were able to resurrect the Australian Small Business Blog after my previous provider let me down. Ron, you are a champion.
Kind regards,
Greg Chapman
Australia's Leading Advisor to Emerging Businesses
www.GregChapman.biz
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