CCIWA is calling for more support for small and family businesses struggling with rising costs and increasing red tape.
Saturday, October 26th was Small Business Day in Western Australia, celebrating the contribution of small businesses to our economy and the wider community.
Small Business Day also encouraged consumers to “Think Small First” when making decisions on where to spend their money, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.
CCIWA Chief Executive, Chris Rodwell, said small businesses are the beating heart of our local communities.
“Small businesses play a crucial role in driving innovation, job creation and economic growth,” he said.
“But they’re so much more than that. They’re the local family who took a leap of faith, the businesses that give young people a start, and the place that knows your name when you walk through the door.
“By supporting local small business, you’re supporting your local community.”
Mr Rodwell said many small businesses have been doing it tough, battling the rising cost of doing business.
“Many small businesses are under pressure from the cost of rents, interest rates, utilities, insurance and wages, just to name a few,” he said.
“Many businesses classified as “small” are having to pay payroll tax, depending on their labour costs.”
Mr Rodwell said small businesses were also caught in the web of the Federal Government’s industrial relations reforms, because of the outdated definition of a “small business”.
“Currently, there are several definitions of what constitutes a “small business” in the Fair Work Act. In most cases it’s 15 employees or less but other times it’s 20, which makes it extremely complex,” he said
“Many of the Federal Government’s controversial Industrial Relations changes apply to businesses with more than 15 employees, who are subject to the same rules and considerable penalties as a large multi-national corporation.
“A business with 16 or 17 employees can’t reasonably be considered a “big” business.
“We believe there should be one definition of small business that consistently applies to businesses with up to 25 workers, which brings the definition in line with the community’s expectation.”
Find out more about Small Business Day here.
