Small business politics

The government is not to blame, you are

6:21PM | Thursday, 7 June 2012 |  When things go wrong for the start-up community, the government is a very easy target. But perhaps it’s time we started looking a little closer to home? BY NIKI SCEVAK.

Small Business Minister Brendan O’Connor tight-lipped on tax ideas for small business, pledges to “advocate strongly” for sector

3:11PM | Monday, 19 March 2012 |  Brendan O'Connor, the newly appointed Small Business Minister, says any Government worth its salt should be providing opportunities to small business.

Labor announces establishment of Small Business Commissioner

3:36PM | Wednesday, 14 March 2012 |  The Gillard Government has announced the establishment of a Federal Small Business Commissioner, which it says will act as an advocate for Australian small businesses.

Occupy Wall Street gets the South Park treatment

11:06PM | Monday, 7 November 2011 |  The goals of the ‘Occupy’ movement may seem vague but, fortunately, South Park has provided some trademark clarity to the issue.

Australia second easiest place in world to start-up: Report

10:26PM | Friday, 21 October 2011 |  Australia remains one of the easiest places in the world to start a business, although conditions have worsened in the past two years, according to a new World Bank report.

COSBOA chief casts doubt over new association’s motives

10:39PM | Wednesday, 12 October 2011 |  The Council of Small Business of Australia chief has called a new SME association a “marketing exercise” and cast doubt over whether it will genuinely enhance the interests of small firms.

New SME association with ties to publisher rules out lobbying role

10:02PM | Tuesday, 11 October 2011 |  A new small business industry association with close ties to a publicly-listed publisher has ruled out lobbying the government on SME issues just days after receiving public backing from small business minister Nick Sherry.

Greens call for SME tax break but nothing for sole traders

9:23PM | Monday, 19 September 2011 |  Greens leader Bob Brown has called for proceeds from the Government’s mining tax be used to deliver a 5% reduction in the company tax rate for SMEs to 25%.

Government backflips over restaurant menu rules

9:53PM | Wednesday, 14 September 2011 |  Restaurants and cafes may no longer be compelled to display separate menus for days when surcharges are applied, typically Sundays and public holidays, after the Federal Government took on a Productivity Commission recommendation that the requirement was burdensome.