QSR MEDIA CONFERENCE 2014: Keynote speech from the Federal Minister for Small Business, the Hon Bruce Billson MP
QSR's to get a boost from government policies.
Surviving in small business is never easy and minister Billson saidthat the latest numbers show that 519,000 jobs have been lost in the small business community.
"It didn't hit the headlines because often, these are not union jobs. This from the sector who provided half of the private sector employment," he said.
Billson said that the Australian restaurant industry faces a challenging economy as he noted that the government is putting in a lot of effort to remove unnecessary challenges and create an environment that will let businesses flourish.
"I know you are working for the payroll, you have rents to meet, landlords hounding you despite the anemic outlook. This has brought me to the role I have today, that kind of enterprise, that entrepreneurship we want to nurture. We want to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem."
He noted that his efforts are focused on removing challenges, unnecessary taxes and to not make an already narrow margin business more challenging that it needs to be. Adding, the effort of the entrepreneurs must be supported, so that the reward is at least in reach. "It may not be guaranteed but at least it will be in reach."
"Our work is to get the environment right. Make sure small businesses and family entrepreneurs and inculcated in our delegations. The trajectory has to be arrested. [The government] needs to support renaissance in entrepreneurship because we believe in it and that it will create opportunities in the country."
In 2007, Australia was ranked 68th in the world for the burden red tape compliance cost in the economy. After 21,000 new amendments, the country is now ranked at 127th. "How can we remove obstacles? We need to remove head winds that serves no purpose, he said. "How do we support entrepreneurial thinking? So that despite being challenging, entrepreneurs will still give it to go."
He believed that being attuned to the challenges entrepreneurs face and and creating a supportive environment will allow the industry to grow and contribute more to the economy.
