Small businesses are doing it tough and, under this Albanese Labor Government, it’s only getting tougher, according to the latest Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Small Business Conditions Survey.
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey MP said the survey found Australia’s small businesses were more stressed than last year (up 5.3 percent), were facing increasing costs (up 15 percent) and struggling with cash flow (up 12 percent) – with a hefty side dose of red tape (up 11 percent).
“There are more than 17,500 small businesses, including over 11,000 sole traders, in the electorate of Parkes,” Mr Chaffey said. “That’s more than 97 percent of our employers.
“The ACCI Small Business Conditions Survey found Australia’s small businesses were ‘right on the brink’, they were stretched and had ‘extremely limited capacity’ to absorb any more costs.
“We can’t afford to strangle the very businesses that are the foundations of our communities. They are the baker, the mechanic, the accountant, the hairdresser – so many of the building blocks of our towns. The Federal Government needs to do better. We need to support small business.
“I’m very pleased to host the Federal Shadow Treasurer the Hon Tim Wilson MP in Dubbo this Friday to talk to business leaders about their challenges and concerns,” Mr Chaffey said.
“As Mr Wilson has said, the Albanese budget continues to devastate our economy, with nearly 40 percent of Australian small businesses paying themselves between nothing and $40,000 every year in wages.
“This visit is a great opportunity for business leaders to discuss their own experiences with the Federal Shadow Treasurer.”
Mr Wilson will be in Dubbo this Friday, 18 September, for a special Dubbo Business Chamber lunch. Jamie Chaffey MP and Tim Wilson MP will be available to talk to media beforehand at:
Place: Dubbo Real Estate Agency, 217 Brisbane Street, Dubbo
Time: 11.30am, Friday, 18 September
ENDS
Media contact: Marie Low | 0491 940 108 | marie.low@aph.gov.au