Return of Michaelia Cash provides much-needed continuity for small businesses

THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell has welcomed the return of Senator Michaelia Cash to Cabinet as Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.

“Senator Cash’s return as small and family business minister demonstrates the importance of this sector in Australia, getting on with the important work that’s already begun since the Minister’s initial appointment,” Ms Carnell said.

“Small business has been crying out for certainty, and now they want to see the federal government follow-through on its promises to small business and get the job done.

“Minister Cash ‘gets’ small and family business and has already shown true commitment to the sector.

“There are a number small business issues we are particularly keen on working through with Senator Cash.

“Small businesses have told us their major concerns are tax cuts, energy prices, cash flow, finding the right people with the right skills to employ and simplifying industrial relations so they can more easily employ," Ms Carnell said.

“Access to affordable capital is fundamental to the growth of small to medium enterprises (SMEs), so the delivery of the Australian Business Securitisation Fund and the Australian Business Growth Fund is essential.

“The delivery of the government’s payment times policy is crucial to small businesses, as is the continued downward pressure on power prices.

“It’s encouraging to see ‘skills’ included the Minister’s new title. Investing in change to address the needs of rural and regional small businesses in particular will create productive communities," Ms Carnell said.

“And we will continue to work with the government to deliver greater access to justice for SMEs.

“We welcome the opportunity of working with Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations on the simplification of Australia’s workplace relations.

“We have identified a number of simple steps to tackle the overly complex industrial relations system for small businesses that would make a real difference to the sector," she said.

“We look forward to working closely with Senator Cash and her team to continue better outcomes for the engine room of our economy."

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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