April update from the Commissioner

This month I had the opportunity to speak at the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA) National Small Business Summit where I touched on the cumulative impact and complexity of constantly changing rules and requirements. My concern is that, at time when small business are struggling, there is not enough being done across all levels of government to reduce the regulatory burden on small business. In my speech I stressed the point that better regulation is needed for both small business and consumers and the need for independent small business impact statements. 

Our re-established Small Business Reference Group (SBRG) convened for its first meeting this month. The SBRG was created to identify and discuss the key challenges impacting NSW small businesses. In our inaugural meeting, SBRG members considered rising concerns about red tape as well as what opportunities there are to include small businesses in policy development processes. 

The Commission remains active in supporting small business participation in government procurement. The Commission’s submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry earlier this year highlighted the challenges small business face throughout the process and how it can be demystified and improved upon. I encourage small businesses to make use of the free guides and training we have available to learn about tendering to the government. 

As we approach the final months of the financial year, many small businesses will be preparing themselves for tax time. We’ve put together some helpful tips to consider over the coming weeks. 

Small businesses, especially those operating in regional NSW, should also be aware of the 3G network shutdowns across Australia. Ensure you upgrade from outdated technology and make necessary preparations well ahead of time to ensure your business experiences the least amount of disruption. 

Many thanks

Chris Lamont