The answer to a question asked of a minister in the house of reps caught my attention -
Small business Minister Bruce Billson QWN :
Mr BROUGH (Fisher) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Minister, will you inform the House of the action you are taking to cut the red-tape burden for the 13,000 small businesses in my electorate on the Sunshine Coast and how you are also assisting hardworking small businesses right across Australia?
Mr BILLSON (Dunkley—Minister for Small Business) (15:08): It is great to get a question from the member for Fisher. Isn't it great to have him back in this parliament? What a great representative. The member for Fisher would know that we are well on our way to implementing an election commitment—a crucial election commitment to cut $1 billion worth of— red tape and compliance costs out of the economy, as a central part of our Economic Action Strategy.
There can be no contest about the need for this red-tape reduction task. You might remember, Madam Speaker, when the Labor government was initially elected, they promised one in, one out. That was the commitment. But after spectacularly failing to achieve that ambition, they thought they would change the goal posts. And then it was about a regulation count. When we reminded the previous government that they had implemented 21,000 new and amended regulations, they then said, 'We don't like that way of measuring the red-tape burden either.'
But who could argue with The World Economic Forum's assessment? Who could forget that, after six years of Labor, the Australian economy is 128th in the world in terms of the burden of government regulation. There are only 127 other economies that have less gummed-up impact of government regulation than our own. This is why this red-tape reduction task is a whole-of-government obligation, where every minister is making a contribution and where every portfolio is making a contribution. Regulatory burdens land no more heavily than on small businesses. The small businesses of Fisher, as we travel around and talk with them, describe this overwhelming compliance obligation that takes them away from growing their business and nurturing opportunities in their electorate.
This is why Labor contributed so much in its red-tape overreach to 519,000 jobs lost in small business under Labor. We have started well: We have more than $700 million worth of compliance savings already announced and already booked, but we have to keep that momentum going. We have seen 300,000 small businesses relieved of unnecessary PAYG and also BAS reporting obligations. We have seen the need to improve and fix the overreach in the Personal Property Security Register. We have seen changes in the area of franchising—all of these aimed at reducing the red tape burden.
We have in the Senate another opportunity to end the burden on business being the double-handler of paid parental leave payments. There is another $48 million worth of red-tape savings to be had there for businesses big and small for the not-for-profit obligations. We are evangelical about our work in relieving small businesses of that red-tape burden and re-energising enterprise, realising that these businesses need to be world-class every day to thrive and prosper. That is the discipline we should apply to our task, and not do what Labor did—whenever there was a problem, after spending all the money that was left from Howard government, just go and add some more regulation to it and hope it goes away. We are the only friends small business has in this chamber. (My bold)
The statement
"We are the only friends small business has in this chamber." set the old wheels in motion, why is Truss not addressing some of the burden for aviation along the same lines as the minister for small business?.
Apart from the 'heavies' a high percentage of aviation businesses could be seen as 'small' – in the strict sense. No doubt the benefits of the 'red-tape' reform will be passed along and will assist but 'small aviation' needs an additional layer of protection.
The industry is capital intensive, the commercial risks are high, the returns relatively low. Industry accepts that as a given and continues – anyway. But, there is no similar rhetoric from Truss relating to removing the additional onerous burdens and stresses CASA force upon industry. No other small business is as ruthlessly persecuted to maintain absolute blind, unchallenging obedience to an arcane, becoming ridiculous rule set – without recourse. No other industry is 'self funding' to degree demanded of aviation. Imagine trying to sell that to 'small business' while telling them that if and when it pleases the 'regulator', they fund, chooses to close them down, they will.
I am uncertain of the number of jobs lost and the taxable revenue now unavailable to government due to forced closure of aviation business during the McComic era, when a scourge akin to Ebola swept through; but it was plenty. The accident rates have nor reduced due to this philosophy, the skies are no safer, the red tape mounts, the regulation more manically determined on micro management – for why?? and where is the minuscule ? and what is it doing?
'Our' minuscule, unlike Mr Billson, continues to sit, snoozing or staring into space and will not, unlike like Billson raise a finger to help a dying industry. At least Billson acknowledges the value of 'small business'. It was refreshing to hear a little heat, just a few words from a minister; even if it's all hot air, at least Billson is 'seen' to be having a go – with some passion.
I just wonder if the ostrich like Truss hopes the Senate will, once again, dig his chestnuts out of the fire. There are a few in the flames:-
The medical issues, not just the CVD troops, but an entire range of incompetence, embuggerance and ineptitude managed by an unaccountable megalomaniac. A CASA in miniature.
The regulatory issues: parts 61 and 145 for example. Gods alone know what the true, total cost to industry is as it struggles to (a) comprehend the rubbish and (b) try to find a way of compliance which will ensure the commercial viability and legal safety of their businesses.
There are outstanding, serious matters related to the manner in which industry is managed and regulated, which have not been acknowledged for almost a twelve month now, let alone addressed.
There are grave concerns regarding the quality and value of our accident investigating; not only ignored, but wilfully disregarded.
There are huge problems in the manner and method in which aerodrome matters are managed and manipulated, with only the thickness of a cigarette paper between a major, damaging scandal exploding all over the government.
Well Bravo Mr. Billson, you set a fine example for our own shiftless, lazy, dithering inutile Minister to follow; and, you publicly shame him by that example. Would you consider accepting a charge to take one more branch of the small business tree under your umbrella? Then we could just step around the Truss roadblock and appeal to a Minister who seems to take his job seriously; for we certainly do need a friend, in deed, in the Australian parliament.
Truss and Australia have got it very, very wrong and before you call Bull-pooh; just have a look across the Tasman and see the difference.
Selah...