Opposition spokesperson Senator Scott Ryan on how the Federal Government has failed small business:
“Small businesses comprise 96 percent of all Australian enterprises. It is a sector that is only ignored at our greater peril, yet it is one to which this Labor Government has refused to listen.”
Federal Minister for Small Business Senator Nick Sherry has announced that he will not recontest the next election. Sherry’s resignation came ahead of Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s reshuffling of her cabinet.
The federal government has launched its first iPad app for businesses, designed to give SMB owners access to emergency planning information anytime, anywhere.
Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten has spoken about the Productivity Commission (PC) draft report into the future of the retail industry released last week, declaring the review makes it clear the Australian retail sector has a bright future but needs to continue to innovate and change.
25 not-for-profit business advisory organisations have been granted $2.5 million worth of Government funding, slated to help small businesses impacted by recent natural disasters.
The first national study into the impacts of local government regulation on business by the Productivity Commission has been given the green-light, a move backed by the Federal Government.
Small businesses can now access a new free computer-based information tool – the latest addition to the Australian Government’s extensive range of assistance and resources for small businesses.
The Australian Government’s Small Business Support Line has just received call number 25,000, with the service also receiving more than 3000 emails since September 2009, and more than 400 ‘live chats’ since that online service became available in November 2010.
The Australian Government’s Small Business Support Line has added an online ‘live chat’ service for small businesses so that business owners can reach the service in whichever way best suits their needs.
Australia ranks second amongst 183 countries when it comes to starting a business according to the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
