TAX cuts, simpler paperwork and giving more businesses access to the $20,000 instant asset write-off programme were a central focus of a small business roadshow headed by Small Business Minister Michael McCormack and local MP Jason Falinski in Collaroy today.
Joined by senior leaders from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), the forum heard direct from Northern Beaches’ businesses about their ideas and challenges.
“Whether you’re in the suburbs or by the surf, the Government wants to back small business. I have a plan for the lowest tax rate in 50 years, simpler paperwork so you can spend more time doing what you do best and enabling more businesses to write-off assets against their tax,” Mr McCormack said.
“I ran my own small business for eight years and understand the opportunities and challenges of starting and pursuing your dream. That’s why I am travelling around Australia with three Government agencies, to meet with as many small businesspeople as I can, to get feedback and ideas about how the Government can help small business succeed.
“We all want more jobs and better opportunities, as well as the goods and services we need, available locally. It is small business, not Government, which delivers that. That’s why I back them.”
Local MP Jason Falinski said the Mackellar electorate’s more than 16,000 small businesses create local jobs and there are many success stories to showcase with the Minister.
“We have a thriving small business community and my role is to make sure I listen to their feedback when it comes to Government policy. At the end of the day, the decisions we make in Canberra affect the people that are right here, on the ground, manufacturing products, providing services and creating jobs,” Mr Falinski said.
“This forum is a great opportunity for the business community to provide real life feedback to the Minister.
“We also benefit from the exchange of idea. Having so many successful small businesses in the room means we get ideas about what the Government could do differently. We don’t have all the solutions, but that’s not our job. The Government’s role is to create an environment in which anyone who lives on the Northern Beaches can decide to give his idea a go and succeed.”
Mr McCormack’s roadshow has travelled to cities and regions throughout South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales in the past fortnight and will continue around Australia in the weeks and months ahead.