Thu, 3rd July 2008

Small businesses need greater clarity on COAG decision

Steven Ciobo MP
Shadow Minister for Small Business, the Service Economy & Tourism

The Shadow Minister for Small Business, Steven Ciobo, has welcomed a move towards a more consistent small business policy framework following today’s announcement by COAG.

However Mr Ciobo has expressed some concern over the operation of a national Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policy which could see significant increases in the compliance burden on Australian small businesses.

“I have no problem with a seamless national economy. What I do have a problem with is unions having unrestricted right of entry to small businesses,” he said.

“I am confident small businesses will benefit from a national system of trades licensing and registration of business names.

“In New South Wales, there is currently no shared responsibility in OH&S, leaving 100 per cent of responsibility hanging over the heads of employers.

“Does this mean that Morris Iemma's disastrous system of OH&S is coming to a state near you?

“Labor needs to provide clarity on whether Australia’s 2.4 million small businesses will now be saddled with 100 per cent of workplace responsibility, or whether there will still be a shared responsibility between employees and their employer.

“In New South Wales, it is the small business owner who is charged for failing to meet OH&S, and if fined, the State Government splits that fine with the relevant union.

“This perverse New South Wales system actually creates incentive for unions to cause mischief.

“The New South Wales OH&S system is actually a revenue raiser for the unions. Does Labor believe greater union interference guarantees a safer work environment?

“Employers and employees need to work co-operatively in an environment of shared responsibility.”

The Shadow Minister for Small Business has called on Labor to urgently provide greater clarity on operation of the new national system so small businesses in Australia can have certainty.