Small business and Coalition on the same Page

Shadow minister for Small Business, Don Page promised to establish a Small Business Commissioner to “stand up” for small business should the Coalition win Government at a meeting at Club Swans last Wednesday night.

Mr Page met with representatives of the Potts Point Partnership, the Pyrmont-Ultimo Chamber of Commerce, the Darlinghurst Business Partnership in Potts Point and concerned local business owners to discuss the Coalitions plan for smoother relationships between small business and a future Coalition State Government.

Minister for Small Business Frank Terenzini was invited but declined to attend.

Mr Page laid out a six point Small Business Action Plan (SBAP) to support small business in the State if the Liberals win the election. The creation of a Small Business Commissioner was chief among the proposed changes, a position which was created in Victoria in 2003.

 The Commissioner’s role would primarily involve resolving disputes between small business and government agencies, investigating unfair market practices by big business against small business, and ensuring that any new regulations do not have a negative impact on small businesses.

Other changes on the SBAP include a ‘One On, Two Off’ approach to new regulations, a risk analysis on all new regulations and an assurance that all NSW Government agencies pay their bills within 30 days.

“The NSW Liberals and Nationals understand that small business is the backbone of the Sydney electorate and NSW economy,” Mr Page said. “We also understand that to make NSW number one again we need a strong and vibrant local economy and to achieve that small business need to have the confidence to invest, grow and employ more people.

“Small business whether it be country or Newcastle or Sydney, does not have a voice and we think that it is really important that we give small business a genuine voice right across government.”

Members of the audience were eager to have their questions answered and Mr Page was bombarded with information about the plight of local business owners. Some of the problems raised included clearways and bus lanes robbing stores of business, lack of coherent street signage, and a lack of consultation between local council and small businesses.

One member of the audience described her relationship with Town Hall and the State Government as non-existent, describing “faceless” representatives with whom small business has “no influence.”

Mr Page said he was going to “change the culture” of the RTA and would bridge the gap between small business and government agencies.