❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the Minister's experience, initiatives, and strategies for small business, including challenges, definition, and future plans. The Minister's response outlines actions taken and future considerations.
AnsweredQoN 821Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What professional experience does the Minister bring to the small business portfolio?
(2) Has the Minister ever owned a small business?
(3) What specific small business initiatives has the Minister put in place since receiving the small business portfolio?
(4) What small business initiatives does the Minister plan to implement in the near future?
(5) What long-term strategies does the Minister have for small business in Western Australia?
(6) What are the major challenges and issues facing small business in Western Australia?
(7) Will the definition of a ‘small business’ under State legislation be increased to businesses that employ up to 100 people?
(8) If not, how will ‘small business’ be defined in State legislation?
(2) Has the Minister ever owned a small business?
(3) What specific small business initiatives has the Minister put in place since receiving the small business portfolio?
(4) What small business initiatives does the Minister plan to implement in the near future?
(5) What long-term strategies does the Minister have for small business in Western Australia?
(6) What are the major challenges and issues facing small business in Western Australia?
(7) Will the definition of a ‘small business’ under State legislation be increased to businesses that employ up to 100 people?
(8) If not, how will ‘small business’ be defined in State legislation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 May 2006
Responded by
Minister for Small Business
Response time
27 days
(2) Similar to the Member for Carine, I have not owned a small business. (3) In my role to date (5 April 2006), I have been responsible for: Implementing the outcomes of the Small Business Centre Review; Formally launching the new Small Business Centre Network; Addressing the inaugural Small Business Centres Conference; Facilitating a Link Forum to discuss issues of concern with generic small business associations; Seeking additional funding to expand the State Government's successful Business Migration program; Driving the development of the Small Business Institute; Coordinating a meeting between Treasury and the SBDC to examine the levels of professional indemnity cover requested in State Government tenders; and Meeting with dozens of small businesses to discuss reform to the traineeship and apprenticeship system in Western Australia. (4) The Member for Carine will have the good fortune to see a broad range of initiatives aimed at helping small business implemented throughout my term as Minister. I look forward to updating both the Member and the House on these. (5) I am committed to creating an environment for small business to prosper. There's never been a better time to be in small business in this State. We have record low levels of unemployment, strong growth and a booming economy. I want to ensure that our programs and services allow small business to benefit from the economic boom. I also want to ensure that relevant small business programs and services are in place to assist small business should there be a downturn in the economy. I want to make sure that small business is able to get on with business. Small business is telling me that one of the worst things Government can do is wrap it up in complex red tape. We've seen it with the Federal Government's GST legislation and we're seeing it again with the new Workchoices legislation, which has over 1,252 pages of legislation and explanatory materials and 592 pages of regulations and supplementary materials. Not even the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations seems to be able to understand it. The regulations add additional complexity and confusion for small business - who just want to get on with the job. One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(3) In my role to date (5 April 2006), I have been responsible for: Implementing the outcomes of the Small Business Centre Review; Formally launching the new Small Business Centre Network; Addressing the inaugural Small Business Centres Conference; Facilitating a Link Forum to discuss issues of concern with generic small business associations; Seeking additional funding to expand the State Government's successful Business Migration program; Driving the development of the Small Business Institute; Coordinating a meeting between Treasury and the SBDC to examine the levels of professional indemnity cover requested in State Government tenders; and Meeting with dozens of small businesses to discuss reform to the traineeship and apprenticeship system in Western Australia. (4) The Member for Carine will have the good fortune to see a broad range of initiatives aimed at helping small business implemented throughout my term as Minister. I look forward to updating both the Member and the House on these. (5) I am committed to creating an environment for small business to prosper. There's never been a better time to be in small business in this State. We have record low levels of unemployment, strong growth and a booming economy. I want to ensure that our programs and services allow small business to benefit from the economic boom. I also want to ensure that relevant small business programs and services are in place to assist small business should there be a downturn in the economy. I want to make sure that small business is able to get on with business. Small business is telling me that one of the worst things Government can do is wrap it up in complex red tape. We've seen it with the Federal Government's GST legislation and we're seeing it again with the new Workchoices legislation, which has over 1,252 pages of legislation and explanatory materials and 592 pages of regulations and supplementary materials. Not even the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations seems to be able to understand it. The regulations add additional complexity and confusion for small business - who just want to get on with the job. One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(5) I am committed to creating an environment for small business to prosper. There's never been a better time to be in small business in this State. We have record low levels of unemployment, strong growth and a booming economy. I want to ensure that our programs and services allow small business to benefit from the economic boom. I also want to ensure that relevant small business programs and services are in place to assist small business should there be a downturn in the economy. I want to make sure that small business is able to get on with business. Small business is telling me that one of the worst things Government can do is wrap it up in complex red tape. We've seen it with the Federal Government's GST legislation and we're seeing it again with the new Workchoices legislation, which has over 1,252 pages of legislation and explanatory materials and 592 pages of regulations and supplementary materials. Not even the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations seems to be able to understand it. The regulations add additional complexity and confusion for small business - who just want to get on with the job. One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
I want to make sure that small business is able to get on with business. Small business is telling me that one of the worst things Government can do is wrap it up in complex red tape. We've seen it with the Federal Government's GST legislation and we're seeing it again with the new Workchoices legislation, which has over 1,252 pages of legislation and explanatory materials and 592 pages of regulations and supplementary materials. Not even the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations seems to be able to understand it. The regulations add additional complexity and confusion for small business - who just want to get on with the job. One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(8) Refer to 7.
(3) In my role to date (5 April 2006), I have been responsible for: Implementing the outcomes of the Small Business Centre Review; Formally launching the new Small Business Centre Network; Addressing the inaugural Small Business Centres Conference; Facilitating a Link Forum to discuss issues of concern with generic small business associations; Seeking additional funding to expand the State Government's successful Business Migration program; Driving the development of the Small Business Institute; Coordinating a meeting between Treasury and the SBDC to examine the levels of professional indemnity cover requested in State Government tenders; and Meeting with dozens of small businesses to discuss reform to the traineeship and apprenticeship system in Western Australia. (4) The Member for Carine will have the good fortune to see a broad range of initiatives aimed at helping small business implemented throughout my term as Minister. I look forward to updating both the Member and the House on these. (5) I am committed to creating an environment for small business to prosper. There's never been a better time to be in small business in this State. We have record low levels of unemployment, strong growth and a booming economy. I want to ensure that our programs and services allow small business to benefit from the economic boom. I also want to ensure that relevant small business programs and services are in place to assist small business should there be a downturn in the economy. I want to make sure that small business is able to get on with business. Small business is telling me that one of the worst things Government can do is wrap it up in complex red tape. We've seen it with the Federal Government's GST legislation and we're seeing it again with the new Workchoices legislation, which has over 1,252 pages of legislation and explanatory materials and 592 pages of regulations and supplementary materials. Not even the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations seems to be able to understand it. The regulations add additional complexity and confusion for small business - who just want to get on with the job. One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(5) I am committed to creating an environment for small business to prosper. There's never been a better time to be in small business in this State. We have record low levels of unemployment, strong growth and a booming economy. I want to ensure that our programs and services allow small business to benefit from the economic boom. I also want to ensure that relevant small business programs and services are in place to assist small business should there be a downturn in the economy. I want to make sure that small business is able to get on with business. Small business is telling me that one of the worst things Government can do is wrap it up in complex red tape. We've seen it with the Federal Government's GST legislation and we're seeing it again with the new Workchoices legislation, which has over 1,252 pages of legislation and explanatory materials and 592 pages of regulations and supplementary materials. Not even the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations seems to be able to understand it. The regulations add additional complexity and confusion for small business - who just want to get on with the job. One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
I want to make sure that small business is able to get on with business. Small business is telling me that one of the worst things Government can do is wrap it up in complex red tape. We've seen it with the Federal Government's GST legislation and we're seeing it again with the new Workchoices legislation, which has over 1,252 pages of legislation and explanatory materials and 592 pages of regulations and supplementary materials. Not even the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations seems to be able to understand it. The regulations add additional complexity and confusion for small business - who just want to get on with the job. One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
One of the challenges small business has in our booming economy is recruiting and retaining skilled staff. I am working on reforming and modernising our apprenticeship and traineeship system so that business can work to its optimum efficiency. It's hard to do that if you can't hire skilled staff because of labour shortages. I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
I want to create and maintain the conditions for small business to prosper. Sometimes that will mean direct action and sometimes it will mean Government getting out of the way. As the Member is aware, small businesses can't get on with the job if they are flooded by well-meaning politicians who cause all sorts of damage. (6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(6) As I have done, I would encourage the member for Carine to meet with small businesses so that she can learn first hand of the issues and challenges facing small business. (7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(7) The Federal Government, through its Workchoices legislation, has set in place a new industrial relations regime that distinguishes between those employing under 100 workers and those employing over 100 workers. The ABS currently defines a small business as one which employs fewer than 20 employees. The ABS defines a medium sized business as between 20 and 199 employees and a large business as one with over 200 employees. What we appear to have now through Workchoices is a distinct separation into two sizes of business. I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
I am interested in examining whether this has any ramifications on the way we deliver programs and services to small business in Western Australia. It may not, but it would be remiss of me not to look into the matter. I will be asking the SBDC to assist in this regard. (8) Refer to 7.
(8) Refer to 7.
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