Important small business policy issues for ALNA members.

The threshold for defining a small business must be at least $10 million
ALNA’s position is that the threshold for defining a small business needs to be set at $10 million and indexed annually. Unfortunately, this had not changed for decades and is inconsistent across governments.

Workplace Relations
ALNA believes that government needs to create a small workplace industrial award, which takes into account the differences between small and large employers. A review of these issues, and the rate for penalties on Sunday is essential, as well as using plain English in awards and agreements.

Paid Parental Leave
Our members are supportive of the Paid Parental Leave scheme. However, the compliance regime applies to all employers, no matter the size of the business or the number of employees. Our members support further simplification of the compliance regime and, wherever possible, remove the burden of this from small business owners.

Red tape and small business efficiency
Ensure small business efficiency is maximized through continual review and removal of unnecessary red tape. It is essential that assessments be made on the number of tasks a small business must undertake annually to remain compliant with federal, state and local government laws.

Stimulate demand through infrastructure investment
There is a backlog of positive net return infrastructure required in Australia.

Record low interest rates provide an opportunity for government to invest in infrastructure projects at a relatively low cost. This would stimulate employment and overall demand, as well as investment in the Australian economy.

Innovation
Ensure assistance is available for small businesses in sectors that are at the mature stage of the industry cycle. Government assistance is needed in transforming the lottery and newsagency industry through innovation and professional development.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)
The current system is failing. Small business needs to be funded for training through their own businesses and sectors.

Business Taxation
A competitive long-term goal of a 25% small business tax rate. This will stimulate investment, increase employment and make Australia more globally competitive.

Continued support for the $20,000 instant asset write-off
Ensure the $20,000 instant asset write-off is maintained for small business.

Superannuation and PAYG Tax
Remove employers from the superannuation administration and collection process and place it in Pay As You Go (PAYG). Ensure it is possible for small businesses to choose to make regular payments, which will assist with flexible cash flow management.

Annual concessional superannuation contribution and lifetime non-concessional super contribution caps are sufficiently flexible to the needs of small business owners who are transitioning to retirement.

Improve tax structures for people in casual employment who may work two, three or four casual jobs to make up full time employment. Small business relies heavily on these casual workers.

Finance for Small Business
Access to equitably competitive finance and support strong competition between banks so that interest rate cuts flow through to small businesses. Also ensure banks fairly assess small business loan risk.

Small Business Financial Counseling
Small businesses who find themselves in financial trouble have limited access to financial counseling services. Most of the services available are funded for consumers and not for business owners. Access to free or low cost financial counseling would support many businesses to resolve issues rather than close their doors, or, at least potentially, exit their business at the right time.

Small business owner’s mental health
Running a small business can be very stressful. This can negatively impact on a small business owner’s mental health and can have a big impact on their families and staff. Government needs to provide readily available support, and understanding, particularly when small businesses interact with government.

Telecommunications and B2B communications
A speedier rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN), fair access and lower cost for businesses. Also support small business to engage with and learn how to leverage online opportunities. Extend the “Do Not Call” register to small business.

Improve Small Business Energy Efficiency and competition
Small businesses can usually get rapid return on investment on energy efficiency if they have access to quality information and low interest, short-term loans. Access to competitive energy pricing is also critical to small businesses being able to compete equitably. These initiatives are very beneficial to the overall economy.

Illicit Trade
A greater harmonization of state and federal illicit trade laws so that black market sales of unregulated retail products are substantially reduced.