The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, urges all Australians to recognise the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of the people driving our 2.5 million small businesses on World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day.
"World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day is the perfect chance to celebrate, acknowledge and support the small businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities and engine room of the economy," said Mr Billson.
"Small businesses contribute 1 in every 3 dollars generated in our economy and employ over 5.3 million people, which is 2 in every 5 private sector jobs. This is a vital contribution to Australia's prosperity and livelihoods, made possible by incredible resilience and relentless personal commitment to succeed at a time when many are doing it tough right now.
"Our economic wellbeing, livelihood opportunities and community wellbeing would be so much less without the extraordinary contribution and drive of small and family business people.
"Beyond the economic and employment contribution, small business leaders are generous community-minded people, more likely to volunteer, provide training opportunities, support local clubs and causes, and provide the gathering places and the 'social fabric' people rely on.
"The best way to support small business is to be a kindly customer - patient and understanding, with good and generous intent."
Mr Billson called for a greater appreciation and consideration of the contribution and interests of small businesses who don't look for hand-outs but value a supportive business environment, responsiveness to their challenges and recognition of their contribution.
"By creating the Prime Minister's Small Business Awards and for state, territory and federal governments to require every Cabinet submission to include a small business impact statement, the acknowledgement and 'front of mind' consideration of small business sends a very strong and supportive message backed by practical action.
"Reducing unnecessary headwinds and celebrating small business excellence can encourage the next generation, as well as current small and family business owners and leaders, to continue to innovate, invest and be inspired by small business entrepreneurship and success.
"We all benefit from thriving small businesses. We can all contribute to boosting small businesses and practical policy action can improve prospects for success and resilience.
"That's why we need to put wind in the sails of small business and remove unnecessary barriers and burdens that needlessly impede prospects for success. Greater attention is needed in creating an ecosystem that supports small business to thrive and putting small and family businesses front of mind for our policy makers and regulators, as we've outlined in our 14 steps to energise enterprise.
"On world MSME Day, I encourage you to join us in any way you can, to celebrate and thank our small and family businesses. Help us spread the word about how important small business is to Australia, and help small business thrive." Mr Billson said.
See also
MSME Day is an initiative of the United Nations General Assembly.
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