Government Reshuffle and Elevation of Small Business Portfolio

With Mark Arbib’s resignation from politics last month, Prime Minister Julia Gillard appointed a new federal Minister for Small Business – Brendan O’Connor. The PM has also elevated the importance of small business by placing this portfolio within the Cabinet, saying, “Small businesses are central to Australia’s economy and deserve Cabinet-level representation”. The Liberal Party has been pushing to have Cabinet status for small business and has had this in their policy since 2010. It is good to see that the Government has seen the light on this matter. Arbib was only in the role of Minister for Small Business for a few months when he resigned suddenly on 2 March following Kevin Rudd’s unsuccessful leadership challenge. Preceding Arbib was Nick Sherry who was in the role for a mere 15 months (which is turning out to be a long time in politics by today’s standards!) O’Connor is the member for Gorton VIC. His previous portfolio was Human Services and now handles housing and homelessness along with small business. I hope that the appointment Mr O’Connor and elevated status of small business will create focus and positive change for the small business community in Australia. Do you have concerns you’d like voiced to the new Minister for Small Business? Let us know.