Small-business leaders’ forum says vaccine mandates, insurance and licensing impacting SMEs

State small-business commissioners and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman met last week to collaborate on the issues facing Australia’s small-business community.

“We acknowledge the past two years have been incredibly challenging for our community, and particularly so for our small and family businesses,” said Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

“As lockdowns end, freedoms return and we enter a new normal, we share in the small business community’s optimism. As always, we recognise and highlight the circumstances of enterprising people who drive and lead our small business economy and are encouraged by the cautious optimism of the small business community.”

One of the most pressing issues faced by the small-business community in Australia said Mr Billson was the impact of differing vaccination mandates across jurisdictions, impacts on small businesses and the challenge of providing actionable information to small businesses to help navigate these obligations.

The forum also discussed the impact of an array of insurance challenges facing small businesses and the report of the ASBFEO into the suitability of a “discretionary mutual fund” as a possible solution to the insurance crisis facing the amusement, leisure and active recreation sector.

Small businesses are also facing uncertainty around the handling of outstanding debts accumulated over the pandemic period.

“There is a need for thoughtfulness by the ATO, financiers, landlords and trade creditors as obligations and approaches return to more regularised arrangements alongside recovering trading conditions,” Mr Billson said.

“There is also an opportunity for greater collaboration between the Commonwealth, State/Territory and local governments to streamline approvals and licencing process and reduce the red-tape burden on small business.”

The forum said small businesses were encouraged by the predictions of economic recovery and a bounce in business, but said it also saw a need for ongoing support for those businesses that are recovery-impaired and urged policymakers, the private sector and customers to continue to support small businesses, as so many have been doing.

“As such, we call on Australian shoppers to embrace the festive spirit this year and spend big with small business,” Mr Billson said.

“In supporting a small business, we assist with its recovery and the livelihoods that depend on it, which has flow-on benefits for the community and the broader economy. Our experience with the post-GFC recovery means we know small business will play a significant role in post-pandemic jobs growth.”

There were ongoing challenges facing the small-business community including implementing public health directions to support community reopening, staffing shortages, cost pressures and some supply chain and logistics difficulties that are imposing additional demands on already fully focused, time-poor and committed small and family businesses.

“Given the increased volume of online sales expected in the lead up to Christmas and predicted delays in delivery services, we ask customers to factor additional time in and order their gifts as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.  Vouchers for ‘experiences’ in hospitality, entertainment, visitor and regional economies will be helpful to support economic recovery,” Mr Billson said.