The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell has welcomed the new federal shadow ministry, and looks forward to working closely with Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business, Brendan O'Connor and Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Tony Burke.
"Brendan O'Connor has a long political history and has previously served as the Minister for Small Business," Ms Carnell said.
"He has a good knowledge of the sector and what small businesses need to thrive. Mr O'Connor will be supported by Shadow Minister Assisting for Small and Family Business, Matt Keogh.
"There are a number of issues we are particularly keen on working through in the interests of small businesses.
"Small businesses have told us their major concerns are tax cuts, energy prices and cash flow.
"Access to affordable capital is fundamental to the growth of small to medium enterprises (SMEs), so the delivery of the Australian Business Securitisation Fund and the Australian Business Growth Fund is essential.
"Equally vital to small business is finding the right people with the right skills to employ and simplifying industrial relations so they can more easily employ.
"We have identified a number of simple steps to tackle the overly complex industrial relations system for small businesses that would make a real difference to the sector.
"We would also urge the Opposition to work with the government to deliver its faster payment times policy.
"We look forward to working closely with the shadow ministry to achieve better outcomes for the engine room of our economy."
