IPA urgently calls for SME loan guarantee scheme

THE Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) is urging the Federal Government to introduce a state-backed loan guarantee scheme for small business.

“On average, 28,000 Australian businesses per annum face a binding finance constraint, whilst 118,000 face some access to finance issues,” IPA chief executive officer, Andrew Conway said. 

“To help increase the availability of much-needed affordable loan finance to the small business sector, the Federal Government should introduce a state-backed loan guarantee scheme.

“Australia is one of the only countries in the developed world without such a scheme.

“A limited state-backed guarantee would encourage banks and other commercial lenders to increase loan finance available to small business.

“Evidence presented in the Australian Small Business White Paper suggests that by international standards, the cost of debt for Australian small businesses is high and risk-adjusted lending is not the norm in Australia.

“There is a strong case for designing and implementing a loan guarantee program in Australia to help remedy the specific problems of smaller and younger start-ups unable to finance new investment opportunities through normal commercial channels.

“Access to responsible and affordable finance will help many small businesses reinvest in their businesses and help create new ideas, new capacity and new jobs.

“When appropriately designed and administered, loan guarantee programs can deliver value for taxpayers through their support of employment, growth, productivity, innovation and exporting,” Mr Conway said.

The IPA’s recommendation for the small business loan guarantee scheme forms part of the IPA’s pre-Budget submission for 2016-17.

For the IPA’s complete pre-Budget submission go to http://bit.ly/1PVGJX7   

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