Greetings from the National Small Business Summit in Brisbane. We had a great day here yesterday and I wanted to give you a quick update on the addresses from the Minister for Small Business Craig Emerson and the Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott.
Minister Craig Emerson:
- Australian economy is recovering from the GFC however many small businesses are struggling because margins are seriously being squeezed. (How many “Sale” signs have you seen lately? Many consumers are not buying unless they are getting a substantial deal – myself included).
- Emerson was selling the government’s reduction in taxes and also the new asset depreciation scheme (ability for businesses to instantly write off assets up to $5k)
- “The best thing that government can do for small business is to get out of it’s way”. (Hear hear! We welcome less involvement).
- Emerson quoted the ALP as the “low tax party”. Could this be the ALP’s election platform?
Tony Abbott, Leader of the Opposition:
Abbott started his talk by claiming he wouldn’t be “political or partisan”. (This got a few chuckles from the audience and yes, surprise, he was both).
- If elected the Liberal party will appoint Bruce Bilson to the cabinet as Small Business Minister. (This means a greater emphasis on small business within the government.)
- “Small business is the key to a sustainable economy.”
- “We get it when it comes to small business.”
- “Triumph over difficultly embodies the spirit of small business.” (You’ve been practicing your soundbites, haven’t you Tony? We all liked these.)
- On the National Broadband Network (NBN): In theory the Liberal party supports the idea but not the ALP model of a total government monopoly. Abbott wouldn’t discuss the Liberal party’s NBN policy but committed to reveal it before the election. (I hope so – a NBN is CRITICAL to the development and growth of Australia!)
That’s the political update from the Small Business Summit. For more coverage search Twitter #nsbs.
