The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell has welcomed the federal government’s plans to reform the red tape currently inhibiting small business growth.
“The next wave of deregulation reform, announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, is a step in the right direction to make it easier for small businesses to employ staff and invest in growth,” Carnell said.
“A new online checklist providing small business employers with a guide to employing their first worker, along with a commitment to developing a new prototype ‘regtech’ platform, is encouraging.”
Carnell said while the reforms are a good first step to assist micro business owners in making the leap to employer, more needs to be done to make the award system less complex and easier to navigate by business owners
“Small and family businesses are crying out for a simplified system, so they can get on with the job of growing their business.
“That’s why my office is calling on the government to develop an algorithm to be integrated into accounting software to make it easier for small and family businesses to pay wages and entitlements correctly and on time.
The ombudsmans suggesedt the step is to clarify the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code, to give small and family businesses the confidence they need to employ more Australians.
“We’ve provided the government with our Review of the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code, which recommends a suite of changes to help small business employers meet their obligations.
“It’s also critical the government consults widely as part of the deregulation process, which my office is ready to play an active role in, so the small business community is part of these important discussions that affect them directly.”
Carnell said the PM’s plans to streamline approvals and simplify regulatory complexities has the potential to be a game-changer for small business.
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