Shadow Minister Media Releases
NSW Labor Out Of Touch With Small Business (07/11/2008)
As Nathan Rees’ Labor Government lurches from crisis to crisis, many small businesses in New South Wales continue to battle to keep their heads above water in these uncertain economic times.
Getting the message through to the Labor Government about how difficult things are out there in the real world appears to be extremely difficult said the state Shadow Minister for Small Business, Don Page.
“Take, for instance, recent claims by then Small Business Minister, Tony Stewart, that State Labor was delivering big benefits to the motor vehicle industry by decreasing red tape,” Mr Page said.
“The Labor Government is patting itself on the back and spruiking that it has reduced the number of forms motor dealers have to fill in from 19 to 13,” he said.
“This shows how out of touch the State Labor Government has become.
“Speaking in a recent parliamentary debate on reducing red tape for small business, the then Minister said it was an achievement that amendments to the Motor Dealers Act mean motor retailers now only have to fill out 13 forms!
“Is this Government serious?” Mr Page asked.
“I don’t know that reducing forms from 19 to 13 is anything to brag about,” Mr Page said.
“Small businesses are crying out for a reduction in red tape and lower and fewer state taxes,” he said.
“Is reducing the number of forms to be filled out from 19 to 13 addressing those concerns?
“Small business owners also need to know what the Government is going to do to help them ride out the economic crisis.
“News from the ANZ that the number of job advertisements fell 5.9% in October shows small businesses are nervous about their future.
“The New South Wales Government needs to outline clearly what it plans to do to ensure small businesses ride out the fluctuations in the Australian economy,” Mr Page said.
