It is disheartening that unknown to most of them, and without proper consideration, the Australian government recently rushed through legislation that will add even more complexity to these challenges.

The Current State of Small Business in Australia

A staggering 98% of all businesses In Australia are small businesses. 

But according to data from the small business ombudsman, 43% aren’t profitable.

They’re under extreme pressure because they operate in a demanding labour environment, facing record levels of inflation, and rental price growth while the cost of supplies, fuel, and goods keep increasing. 

On top of that consumer confidence and cash flow are at an all-time low, and many business owners are funding their operations through personal savings or borrowing against assets. 

They’re struggling from all sides, and still reeling economically from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Causing many businesses to close their doors.

Of those still operational, many small business owners are already paying themselves a below-average wage, and this new legislation will make it much harder to stay afloat. 

The New Government Reforms

Unfortunately, governments often rush legislation through without proper consultation. They often do this when it involves contentious or politically sensitive issues. 

In this case, the government bundled together the “Closing the Loopholes Bill” that claimed to address wage suppressions and close loopholes. But they were secretly accompanied by radical changes around labour hire and union access. 

Small businesses were not consulted on these points, which will negatively impact their business decisions. 

Additionally, companies and industry groups were not allowed to review or respond to the reforms.

On top of that politicians tend to avoid actively supporting or engaging with small business owners on these issues due to the adversarial nature of the industrial relations system. 

There is a perception that businesses prioritise profit over the well-being of their workers, highlighting the disconnect between the complex new reforms and the hardships faced by small business owners.

The Way Forward

We need to find a balanced approach that acknowledges the market economy while ensuring fair wages and regulations for small business owners.

To get to a point where we're actually growing the economy and therefore growing the country and providing some hope, our politicians need to actively support and engage with us. 

Instead of burdening small businesses. The government should be unleashing them, helping them to become profitable and successful.  

And we need to take responsibility for our decision to be entrepreneurial and bring back the spirit of entrepreneurship that seems to have been lost in Australia. 

With an estimated three million small business owners in Australia, our collective power is significant. 

It's time to unite and amplify our voices to ensure our concerns and needs are addressed.

By voting and lobbying together, we can achieve meaningful change. 

I urge you to write to your local members and raise concerns about these issues. By reaching out to ministers, both at the federal and state levels, we can make a difference. 

Sharing this blog post (or the video it’s based on) and tagging ministers. Making submissions to the government, and engaging with local chambers of commerce are all important ways to amplify our voices. 

It's time for us to take responsibility for being entrepreneurial and bring back the spirit of small business in Australia. 

Let's work together to create an environment where small businesses can thrive and provide opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. 

We are not alone in this fight, and by joining forces, we can create a future where the hard work and dedication of small business owners are recognised and rewarded.

If you are facing any challenges or need assistance, please let me know. 

Together, we can navigate through these obstacles and build a better future for small businesses in our country.

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⬇️ Watch the full video here ⬇️