Latest news with #AnneAly
The Guardian
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Albanese's Palestinian statehood decision won't please everyone – but it's better than the horrifying status quo
As Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong prepared to announce Australia's recognition of the state of Palestine on Monday, nervous anticipation rippled around Parliament House. Staffers gathered in windows above the prime minister's courtyard, ready to take photos of the announcement unfolding below. Anne Aly, the first Muslim woman to sit in cabinet, watched from one floor up as Albanese and Wong fronted the media, while the country's most senior bureaucrat, Steven Kennedy, paced nervously nearby. Australia, Albanese declared, would join partners including France, the UK and Canada in recognising Palestine at the United Nations next month, saying peace could only be temporary until both Israeli and Palestinian statehood was permanent. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Reflecting on the bloody war in Gaza, and the escalation currently being engineered by Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Albanese said recognition was a step towards a two-state solution and would help stem the humanitarian crisis playing out on televisions and smartphones around the world. 'The toll of the status quo is growing by the day, and it can be measured in innocent lives,' Albanese said. 'The world cannot wait for success to be guaranteed. That only means waiting for a day that will never come.' Despite being signalled for months – and coming after images of starvation out of Gaza and huge numbers of demonstrators crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge – Monday will stand as a landmark moment of Albanese's prime ministership. Albanese himself has been making speeches about Palestinian statehood for decades. Under pressure from Labor's base, he made his move as part of a global pushback against Israel's plans for more fighting in Gaza, anger at Israel's settlements, and as calls for humanitarian aid fell on deaf ears. Five Al Jazeera journalists were killed on Monday, victims of a targeted Israeli airstrike on their tent. Former minister Ed Husic has described the growing energy against the war as a tide of 'moral momentum'. Labor was ultimately satisfied with commitments from the Palestinian Authority to demilitarise Gaza, reform governance, hold elections, stop payments to prisoners and provide basic services including education. Albanese secured the assurances from Mahmoud Abbas, the 89-year-old leader of the authority, the organisation set up in the wake of peace agreements in the 1990s. Critically, Abbas recognised Israel's right to exist. Whether Albanese's decision is a turning point, or remembered as a symbolic move in the decades-long mire of conflict, will be determined by whether Abbas can deliver, and whether Netanyahu, who appears to be extending the war to ensure his own political survival, will ever allow peace. Albanese himself is also aware he is breaking with the United States and risking the ire of Donald Trump, who is still one of Netanyahu's closest backers. Trump has linked Canada's decision on recognition to tougher trade tariffs. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Like Netanyahu, the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, and frontbenchers Angus Taylor and Michaelia Cash, say recognition rewards Hamas for its terror and murder. The Liberals echoed the Trump administration's concerns that any advantage to Hamas would slow down progress on peace, given previous ceasefire talks have failed. But Netanyahu is increasingly isolated and Australia's decision reflects growing anger about Palestine's suffering among everyday people here. The move won't be enough for some supporters, either. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network said trade and diplomatic relations with Israel should be cut off, warning Palestinian rights are not the gift of western states. The Greens want an end to weapon component exports and Labor Friends of Palestine say more sanctions are needed. They are almost certainly right that more needs to be done. But Australia recognising Palestine is a step towards peace – and as Wong said, doing the same thing but hoping for a different outcome is the only certain road to failure. Tom McIlroy is Guardian Australia's chief political correspondent
ABC News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Australian recognition of Palestinian state has been decades in the making
You need only look to the windows overlooking the prime minister's courtyard to know Australia was about to mark a milestone moment. Minutes after media had been summoned for a 1pm press conference, the nation's most senior public servant, Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Steven Kennedy, peered out a ground floor window, looking across at two empty podia displaying the Australian coat of arms. Across the courtyard, cabinet minister Anne Aly smiled as she looked out her first floor ministerial window. The staff in windows only grew when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong took their places. They snapped photos as Albanese and Wong made a declaration that's been decades in the making. "A two-state solution is humanity's best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza," Albanese said as he confirmed Australia would recognise a Palestinian state at a United Nations meeting next month. In making the pledge, it brings Australia into alignment with the United Kingdom, Canada and France, allies who have all pledged recognition as the world seeks a circuit breaker for the death and disaster in Gaza. "The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears," Albanese said. "Far too many innocent lives have been lost." In recent weeks, Albanese has discussed recognition with leaders of the UK, France, New Zealand and Japan. He spoke with the head of the Palastinian Authority last week and confirmed today he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Thursday. Recognition won't come without strings but few view this as an egg that can be unscrambled. At least for Labor. Albanese said the Palestinian Authority had agreed to Australia's conditions of recognition, which include Palestine recognising Israel's right to exist, that it will demilitarise, that elections are held and Hamas have no role in a future government. "I understand that on this issue, history casts a long shadow," Albanese said. "Every generation has known failures and false dawns. Yet, the story of this struggle is also one of opportunities not taken." The Israel-Gaza conflict has contorted Australia's political class in the almost two years since Hamas launched its deadly terror attacks. Public sentiment too has changed as the war has dragged on. "Australians, people around the world, have been haunted by the images," Wong said. "We have always said that Palestinian civilians cannot be made to pay the price of defeating Hamas. But a whole population has been shattered." The opposition supports a two-state solution but argues now is not the time to recognise Palestine. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, a former leader of the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine group, was once a fierce supporter of statehood but argues the "hideous events of October 7" have changed her thinking. Ley insists she remains a friend of Palestinian people but recognition can not occur until Hamas surrenders. Writing with Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash, they said while Australians want the war to end, Australia's decision would do little to achieve that. "Recognising a Palestinian state prior to a return of the hostages and defeat of Hamas, as the government has today, risks delivering Hamas one of its strategic objectives of the horrific terrorism of October 7," they said. Wong noted its been more than seven decades since the world pledged a Palestinian state. It's also been seven years since she started shaping Labor's policies, inching her party towards today's declaration. In late 2018, Wong landed a cross-factional agreement that saw Right faction heavyweight Tony Burke second her push at a Labor conference to call on the next Labor government to recognise Palestine as a matter of priority. That policy was etched into the national platform in 2021 and reaffirmed in 2023. In government though, Wong and Albanese have been far more cautious than some of their colleagues might have liked, seeking to ensure every step forward was done on solid ground. To their critics, they've been too slow. But Wong and Albanese have been acutely aware that this moment would be so much bigger than internal party politics. They've sought to take the non-political public with them on this journey, telegraphing well in advance where the train was headed. Their pace has hastened in recent weeks as allies moved and Wong's fears grew that there could soon be no Palestine left to recognise. It was a year after Labor's 2022 election win before the foreign minister started making her first moves. Addressing Labor's party room in the August before Hamas launched its terror attacks, Wong said the government wanted to strengthen its objection to settlements in the West Bank "by affirming that they are illegal under international law and a significant obstacle to peace". The government re-adopted the term Occupied Palestinian Territories, which Wong argued was consistent with other countries and the United Nations. Wong took her biggest steps towards support for Palestinian statehood when she announced Australia would be willing to recognise Palestine as a way to deliver peace in the Middle East. It marked the biggest shift in bi-partisanship in pursuit of a two-state solution. Both parties still support the outcome, but differ on how to deliver it. Labor argues recognition can lead to peace, while the Coalition maintains recognition can only come after peace is achieved. Wong and Albanese have been at pains to insist Australia isn't a big player in the Middle East. They have wanted to lower the temperature of the debate, to work with allies and speak with one voice when the moment came for Australia to recognise a state of Palestine. In the end, that call came about in the most quintessential Australian way possible. With Albanese and Wong speaking, their words were often drowned out by the sounds of a Parliament House lawnmower. Those at the press conference leaned in, eager to hear the words the softly spoken Wong was offering. Being heard over a lawnmower is one thing. Being heard around the world is another.
The Advertiser
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Even if these aren't new ideas, we have a chance to shift the conversation
The Treasurer has released the agenda for the much-vaunted three-day Economic Reform Roundtable he is hosting in just a few short days (August 19 to 21), and there is feverish activity on many fronts in the lead-up. Submissions aplenty and roundtables hosted by Ministers to capture input from those not in the impressive core group of 23 attendees that will participate in all sessions over the three days. The public release of some submissions has helped generate lead-up discussion. Possibilities are being canvassed, and the government's appetite for decisiveness and boldness is being probed. This, in turn, has generated hope, interest and some debate. The Productivity Commission's proposal to lower the company tax rate for SMEs is an example of quality thought-leadership. It aims to boost entrepreneurship, investment and competitiveness and would be funded by tax changes for the big end of town. It is an example of bold, multidimensional and transformative reform we need. Like so many bigger ideas, it is not uncontested. Where do the benefits and costs land? What are the trade-offs? Which businesses are driving prosperity gains and are most helping budget repair? What of the three in five small businesses that are not companies? You get the idea. Cautious optimism was very much the vibe at the recent small business roundtable I attended, along with other willing contributors assembled by Small Business Minister Anne Aly and Treasury. It was one of the numerous lead-up roundtables before the big event. The small-business champions, professional bodies, industry associations and financial and digital service providers all contributed meaningfully and constructively. Many of the well-argued ideas for reform were not new, but definitely warranted reiteration and reinforcement. Beyond sharing many great ideas, those gathered were keen to know about the government's economic reform ambition and appetite, and who the ball-carriers are who will ensure that constructive and considered input is embraced. This is particularly important for positive small business policy action. So many of the impacts and incentives guiding enterprising women and men's decision-making are (sadly) not directly the responsibility of the Minister for Small Business. Pleasingly for many of the roundtable participants, Minister Aly's opening remarks were strong, energetic and encouraging. The minister clearly appreciates that positive change for the small business community requires a whole-of-government effort. And whole-of-government support for small businesses is justified and necessary given the sector's vital contribution to Australia's economic wellbeing. Making up almost 98 per cent of Australian businesses, small enterprises generate about one-third of our GDP, which is nearly $600 billion in annual economic activity. Our smaller firms employ more than 5.1 million people, or two in five of the private sector workforce. While this current contribution is impressive and compelling, the small business share of overall economic activity and workforce opportunities has been in decline, like in other developed economies. Arresting this decline is an excellent and meaningful initial benchmark for reform success. To improve Australia's productivity, economic resilience and budget sustainability, we need to go beyond halting this decline. Turning it around will require improving operating conditions, encouraging entrepreneurship and nurturing an environment more conducive to small business success. This objective is why I have been banging on about the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman's 14 steps to energise enterprise since August last year. These 14 steps are practical, readily implementable and action-driven. Pleasingly, many of these 14 steps are reflected in submissions and public statements about where the focus of the Economic Reform Roundtable should be and what practical commitments should emerge. Even if some of these ideas are not new, a Roundtable commitment to act will shift the conversation. Reform ideas will have landed, gained traction and political buy-in. Advocates can progress conversations from a how-'bout-this pitching of reform propositions to a how's-it-going inquiry about genuine progress. And that has to be positive and momentum-building. There are many calls for better incentives for small businesses to form, invest, take risks, survive and thrive. Discounting small business company tax paid in the first three years will help new firms get through the early years' "cashflow value of death". This will support reinvestment into a more robust foundation and help reduce the rate and cost of the reported 50 per cent small business failure rate within the first three years of operation. A more generous and durable instant asset write-off provision will support vital capital deepening and capability-building in smaller firms. A restoration of tax incentives to encourage investment in digitisation, AI and technology uptake, energy efficiency and electrification, will boost productivity, support innovation and competitiveness, and enhance resilience and market access. Australian small businesses are falling behind their Asia-Pacific counterparts in the adoption of digital technologies. Investing in targeted support and education for small businesses to adopt digital technologies in their businesses can increase productivity by streamlining processes, building resilience to economic shocks, mitigating the risks of cybersecurity threats, supporting innovation and growth, and enhancing competitiveness with larger firms. Small businesses are not shrink-wrapped versions of big corporations. Right-sizing has to be the imperative in a renewed commitment to lift the regulatory burden and compliance costs imposed on small businesses. A genuinely risk-based, small-business-first approach and robust impact evaluation framework that genuinely considers non-regulatory options is needed. Including a mandatory small business impact section in all Cabinet submissions and adding small business engagement and support criteria to the regulatory agency performance assessment framework will enhance both thoughtfulness toward smaller respondents and accountability. Implementing digital reforms, which will encourage the adoption of business-ready new tech and AI, offers the promise of streamlining the business of running the business. Digital compliance and reporting systems that work in harmony with the natural business systems currently used by small businesses can ease the regulatory burdens. Regulators can really help by being very discerning about what they are asking small businesses, and in supporting small firms understand and meet what is being imposed. Synchronising and harmonising the ask of small businesses across various regulators and levels of government, and a tell-us-once ethos, shouldn't be too much of an ask. The United Nations reminds us that small and medium enterprises as the "frontline drivers of innovation, inclusion, and resilience". Small and family businesses need to be front of mind for our policymakers, especially as we head into the economic roundtable. When thinking about how best to drive the economic resilience and productivity improvements, energising enterprise through small businesses is a great starting point. The Treasurer has released the agenda for the much-vaunted three-day Economic Reform Roundtable he is hosting in just a few short days (August 19 to 21), and there is feverish activity on many fronts in the lead-up. Submissions aplenty and roundtables hosted by Ministers to capture input from those not in the impressive core group of 23 attendees that will participate in all sessions over the three days. The public release of some submissions has helped generate lead-up discussion. Possibilities are being canvassed, and the government's appetite for decisiveness and boldness is being probed. This, in turn, has generated hope, interest and some debate. The Productivity Commission's proposal to lower the company tax rate for SMEs is an example of quality thought-leadership. It aims to boost entrepreneurship, investment and competitiveness and would be funded by tax changes for the big end of town. It is an example of bold, multidimensional and transformative reform we need. Like so many bigger ideas, it is not uncontested. Where do the benefits and costs land? What are the trade-offs? Which businesses are driving prosperity gains and are most helping budget repair? What of the three in five small businesses that are not companies? You get the idea. Cautious optimism was very much the vibe at the recent small business roundtable I attended, along with other willing contributors assembled by Small Business Minister Anne Aly and Treasury. It was one of the numerous lead-up roundtables before the big event. The small-business champions, professional bodies, industry associations and financial and digital service providers all contributed meaningfully and constructively. Many of the well-argued ideas for reform were not new, but definitely warranted reiteration and reinforcement. Beyond sharing many great ideas, those gathered were keen to know about the government's economic reform ambition and appetite, and who the ball-carriers are who will ensure that constructive and considered input is embraced. This is particularly important for positive small business policy action. So many of the impacts and incentives guiding enterprising women and men's decision-making are (sadly) not directly the responsibility of the Minister for Small Business. Pleasingly for many of the roundtable participants, Minister Aly's opening remarks were strong, energetic and encouraging. The minister clearly appreciates that positive change for the small business community requires a whole-of-government effort. And whole-of-government support for small businesses is justified and necessary given the sector's vital contribution to Australia's economic wellbeing. Making up almost 98 per cent of Australian businesses, small enterprises generate about one-third of our GDP, which is nearly $600 billion in annual economic activity. Our smaller firms employ more than 5.1 million people, or two in five of the private sector workforce. While this current contribution is impressive and compelling, the small business share of overall economic activity and workforce opportunities has been in decline, like in other developed economies. Arresting this decline is an excellent and meaningful initial benchmark for reform success. To improve Australia's productivity, economic resilience and budget sustainability, we need to go beyond halting this decline. Turning it around will require improving operating conditions, encouraging entrepreneurship and nurturing an environment more conducive to small business success. This objective is why I have been banging on about the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman's 14 steps to energise enterprise since August last year. These 14 steps are practical, readily implementable and action-driven. Pleasingly, many of these 14 steps are reflected in submissions and public statements about where the focus of the Economic Reform Roundtable should be and what practical commitments should emerge. Even if some of these ideas are not new, a Roundtable commitment to act will shift the conversation. Reform ideas will have landed, gained traction and political buy-in. Advocates can progress conversations from a how-'bout-this pitching of reform propositions to a how's-it-going inquiry about genuine progress. And that has to be positive and momentum-building. There are many calls for better incentives for small businesses to form, invest, take risks, survive and thrive. Discounting small business company tax paid in the first three years will help new firms get through the early years' "cashflow value of death". This will support reinvestment into a more robust foundation and help reduce the rate and cost of the reported 50 per cent small business failure rate within the first three years of operation. A more generous and durable instant asset write-off provision will support vital capital deepening and capability-building in smaller firms. A restoration of tax incentives to encourage investment in digitisation, AI and technology uptake, energy efficiency and electrification, will boost productivity, support innovation and competitiveness, and enhance resilience and market access. Australian small businesses are falling behind their Asia-Pacific counterparts in the adoption of digital technologies. Investing in targeted support and education for small businesses to adopt digital technologies in their businesses can increase productivity by streamlining processes, building resilience to economic shocks, mitigating the risks of cybersecurity threats, supporting innovation and growth, and enhancing competitiveness with larger firms. Small businesses are not shrink-wrapped versions of big corporations. Right-sizing has to be the imperative in a renewed commitment to lift the regulatory burden and compliance costs imposed on small businesses. A genuinely risk-based, small-business-first approach and robust impact evaluation framework that genuinely considers non-regulatory options is needed. Including a mandatory small business impact section in all Cabinet submissions and adding small business engagement and support criteria to the regulatory agency performance assessment framework will enhance both thoughtfulness toward smaller respondents and accountability. Implementing digital reforms, which will encourage the adoption of business-ready new tech and AI, offers the promise of streamlining the business of running the business. Digital compliance and reporting systems that work in harmony with the natural business systems currently used by small businesses can ease the regulatory burdens. Regulators can really help by being very discerning about what they are asking small businesses, and in supporting small firms understand and meet what is being imposed. Synchronising and harmonising the ask of small businesses across various regulators and levels of government, and a tell-us-once ethos, shouldn't be too much of an ask. The United Nations reminds us that small and medium enterprises as the "frontline drivers of innovation, inclusion, and resilience". Small and family businesses need to be front of mind for our policymakers, especially as we head into the economic roundtable. When thinking about how best to drive the economic resilience and productivity improvements, energising enterprise through small businesses is a great starting point. The Treasurer has released the agenda for the much-vaunted three-day Economic Reform Roundtable he is hosting in just a few short days (August 19 to 21), and there is feverish activity on many fronts in the lead-up. Submissions aplenty and roundtables hosted by Ministers to capture input from those not in the impressive core group of 23 attendees that will participate in all sessions over the three days. The public release of some submissions has helped generate lead-up discussion. Possibilities are being canvassed, and the government's appetite for decisiveness and boldness is being probed. This, in turn, has generated hope, interest and some debate. The Productivity Commission's proposal to lower the company tax rate for SMEs is an example of quality thought-leadership. It aims to boost entrepreneurship, investment and competitiveness and would be funded by tax changes for the big end of town. It is an example of bold, multidimensional and transformative reform we need. Like so many bigger ideas, it is not uncontested. Where do the benefits and costs land? What are the trade-offs? Which businesses are driving prosperity gains and are most helping budget repair? What of the three in five small businesses that are not companies? You get the idea. Cautious optimism was very much the vibe at the recent small business roundtable I attended, along with other willing contributors assembled by Small Business Minister Anne Aly and Treasury. It was one of the numerous lead-up roundtables before the big event. The small-business champions, professional bodies, industry associations and financial and digital service providers all contributed meaningfully and constructively. Many of the well-argued ideas for reform were not new, but definitely warranted reiteration and reinforcement. Beyond sharing many great ideas, those gathered were keen to know about the government's economic reform ambition and appetite, and who the ball-carriers are who will ensure that constructive and considered input is embraced. This is particularly important for positive small business policy action. So many of the impacts and incentives guiding enterprising women and men's decision-making are (sadly) not directly the responsibility of the Minister for Small Business. Pleasingly for many of the roundtable participants, Minister Aly's opening remarks were strong, energetic and encouraging. The minister clearly appreciates that positive change for the small business community requires a whole-of-government effort. And whole-of-government support for small businesses is justified and necessary given the sector's vital contribution to Australia's economic wellbeing. Making up almost 98 per cent of Australian businesses, small enterprises generate about one-third of our GDP, which is nearly $600 billion in annual economic activity. Our smaller firms employ more than 5.1 million people, or two in five of the private sector workforce. While this current contribution is impressive and compelling, the small business share of overall economic activity and workforce opportunities has been in decline, like in other developed economies. Arresting this decline is an excellent and meaningful initial benchmark for reform success. To improve Australia's productivity, economic resilience and budget sustainability, we need to go beyond halting this decline. Turning it around will require improving operating conditions, encouraging entrepreneurship and nurturing an environment more conducive to small business success. This objective is why I have been banging on about the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman's 14 steps to energise enterprise since August last year. These 14 steps are practical, readily implementable and action-driven. Pleasingly, many of these 14 steps are reflected in submissions and public statements about where the focus of the Economic Reform Roundtable should be and what practical commitments should emerge. Even if some of these ideas are not new, a Roundtable commitment to act will shift the conversation. Reform ideas will have landed, gained traction and political buy-in. Advocates can progress conversations from a how-'bout-this pitching of reform propositions to a how's-it-going inquiry about genuine progress. And that has to be positive and momentum-building. There are many calls for better incentives for small businesses to form, invest, take risks, survive and thrive. Discounting small business company tax paid in the first three years will help new firms get through the early years' "cashflow value of death". This will support reinvestment into a more robust foundation and help reduce the rate and cost of the reported 50 per cent small business failure rate within the first three years of operation. A more generous and durable instant asset write-off provision will support vital capital deepening and capability-building in smaller firms. A restoration of tax incentives to encourage investment in digitisation, AI and technology uptake, energy efficiency and electrification, will boost productivity, support innovation and competitiveness, and enhance resilience and market access. Australian small businesses are falling behind their Asia-Pacific counterparts in the adoption of digital technologies. Investing in targeted support and education for small businesses to adopt digital technologies in their businesses can increase productivity by streamlining processes, building resilience to economic shocks, mitigating the risks of cybersecurity threats, supporting innovation and growth, and enhancing competitiveness with larger firms. Small businesses are not shrink-wrapped versions of big corporations. Right-sizing has to be the imperative in a renewed commitment to lift the regulatory burden and compliance costs imposed on small businesses. A genuinely risk-based, small-business-first approach and robust impact evaluation framework that genuinely considers non-regulatory options is needed. Including a mandatory small business impact section in all Cabinet submissions and adding small business engagement and support criteria to the regulatory agency performance assessment framework will enhance both thoughtfulness toward smaller respondents and accountability. Implementing digital reforms, which will encourage the adoption of business-ready new tech and AI, offers the promise of streamlining the business of running the business. Digital compliance and reporting systems that work in harmony with the natural business systems currently used by small businesses can ease the regulatory burdens. Regulators can really help by being very discerning about what they are asking small businesses, and in supporting small firms understand and meet what is being imposed. Synchronising and harmonising the ask of small businesses across various regulators and levels of government, and a tell-us-once ethos, shouldn't be too much of an ask. The United Nations reminds us that small and medium enterprises as the "frontline drivers of innovation, inclusion, and resilience". Small and family businesses need to be front of mind for our policymakers, especially as we head into the economic roundtable. When thinking about how best to drive the economic resilience and productivity improvements, energising enterprise through small businesses is a great starting point. The Treasurer has released the agenda for the much-vaunted three-day Economic Reform Roundtable he is hosting in just a few short days (August 19 to 21), and there is feverish activity on many fronts in the lead-up. Submissions aplenty and roundtables hosted by Ministers to capture input from those not in the impressive core group of 23 attendees that will participate in all sessions over the three days. The public release of some submissions has helped generate lead-up discussion. Possibilities are being canvassed, and the government's appetite for decisiveness and boldness is being probed. This, in turn, has generated hope, interest and some debate. The Productivity Commission's proposal to lower the company tax rate for SMEs is an example of quality thought-leadership. It aims to boost entrepreneurship, investment and competitiveness and would be funded by tax changes for the big end of town. It is an example of bold, multidimensional and transformative reform we need. Like so many bigger ideas, it is not uncontested. Where do the benefits and costs land? What are the trade-offs? Which businesses are driving prosperity gains and are most helping budget repair? What of the three in five small businesses that are not companies? You get the idea. Cautious optimism was very much the vibe at the recent small business roundtable I attended, along with other willing contributors assembled by Small Business Minister Anne Aly and Treasury. It was one of the numerous lead-up roundtables before the big event. The small-business champions, professional bodies, industry associations and financial and digital service providers all contributed meaningfully and constructively. Many of the well-argued ideas for reform were not new, but definitely warranted reiteration and reinforcement. Beyond sharing many great ideas, those gathered were keen to know about the government's economic reform ambition and appetite, and who the ball-carriers are who will ensure that constructive and considered input is embraced. This is particularly important for positive small business policy action. So many of the impacts and incentives guiding enterprising women and men's decision-making are (sadly) not directly the responsibility of the Minister for Small Business. Pleasingly for many of the roundtable participants, Minister Aly's opening remarks were strong, energetic and encouraging. The minister clearly appreciates that positive change for the small business community requires a whole-of-government effort. And whole-of-government support for small businesses is justified and necessary given the sector's vital contribution to Australia's economic wellbeing. Making up almost 98 per cent of Australian businesses, small enterprises generate about one-third of our GDP, which is nearly $600 billion in annual economic activity. Our smaller firms employ more than 5.1 million people, or two in five of the private sector workforce. While this current contribution is impressive and compelling, the small business share of overall economic activity and workforce opportunities has been in decline, like in other developed economies. Arresting this decline is an excellent and meaningful initial benchmark for reform success. To improve Australia's productivity, economic resilience and budget sustainability, we need to go beyond halting this decline. Turning it around will require improving operating conditions, encouraging entrepreneurship and nurturing an environment more conducive to small business success. This objective is why I have been banging on about the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman's 14 steps to energise enterprise since August last year. These 14 steps are practical, readily implementable and action-driven. Pleasingly, many of these 14 steps are reflected in submissions and public statements about where the focus of the Economic Reform Roundtable should be and what practical commitments should emerge. Even if some of these ideas are not new, a Roundtable commitment to act will shift the conversation. Reform ideas will have landed, gained traction and political buy-in. Advocates can progress conversations from a how-'bout-this pitching of reform propositions to a how's-it-going inquiry about genuine progress. And that has to be positive and momentum-building. There are many calls for better incentives for small businesses to form, invest, take risks, survive and thrive. Discounting small business company tax paid in the first three years will help new firms get through the early years' "cashflow value of death". This will support reinvestment into a more robust foundation and help reduce the rate and cost of the reported 50 per cent small business failure rate within the first three years of operation. A more generous and durable instant asset write-off provision will support vital capital deepening and capability-building in smaller firms. A restoration of tax incentives to encourage investment in digitisation, AI and technology uptake, energy efficiency and electrification, will boost productivity, support innovation and competitiveness, and enhance resilience and market access. Australian small businesses are falling behind their Asia-Pacific counterparts in the adoption of digital technologies. Investing in targeted support and education for small businesses to adopt digital technologies in their businesses can increase productivity by streamlining processes, building resilience to economic shocks, mitigating the risks of cybersecurity threats, supporting innovation and growth, and enhancing competitiveness with larger firms. Small businesses are not shrink-wrapped versions of big corporations. Right-sizing has to be the imperative in a renewed commitment to lift the regulatory burden and compliance costs imposed on small businesses. A genuinely risk-based, small-business-first approach and robust impact evaluation framework that genuinely considers non-regulatory options is needed. Including a mandatory small business impact section in all Cabinet submissions and adding small business engagement and support criteria to the regulatory agency performance assessment framework will enhance both thoughtfulness toward smaller respondents and accountability. Implementing digital reforms, which will encourage the adoption of business-ready new tech and AI, offers the promise of streamlining the business of running the business. Digital compliance and reporting systems that work in harmony with the natural business systems currently used by small businesses can ease the regulatory burdens. Regulators can really help by being very discerning about what they are asking small businesses, and in supporting small firms understand and meet what is being imposed. Synchronising and harmonising the ask of small businesses across various regulators and levels of government, and a tell-us-once ethos, shouldn't be too much of an ask. The United Nations reminds us that small and medium enterprises as the "frontline drivers of innovation, inclusion, and resilience". Small and family businesses need to be front of mind for our policymakers, especially as we head into the economic roundtable. When thinking about how best to drive the economic resilience and productivity improvements, energising enterprise through small businesses is a great starting point.
Sky News AU
29-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Albanese government will continue to ‘back small business'
Minister for Small Business Anne Aly says the Albanese government will continue its agenda to 'back small business'.
SBS Australia
16-06-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Refugee players score goals and build bridges
The beautiful game - known the world over for bringing people together. It has been helping Serhii Pohrebniak find his feet... in a foreign land. Because in Ukraine, football isn't just a sport. It's a way of life. "My hobby was a lot of sports, like street sports, football, soccer, yeah, because it's very popular in Ukraine. All children, after school, go to the street and play football.' When war broke out in Ukraine, Serhii was backpacking in Sri Lanka. He hasn't returned since. He says Australia was unfamiliar to him… and a little bit frightening. "My first memory was that I was scared of snakes... to not bite me. Because all information what I read about Australia, it's a lot of snakes and spiders." While Serhii has built a life here with his wife — the trauma of war lingers. Friends and family remain in a country still under siege. "You live like two different lives. Here and in Ukraine. Because a lot of times, my mind is in Ukraine — I speak with my friends, I read the news. And it's every time, I'm here, I'm in Ukraine, I'm here, I'm in Serhii is one of more than 11 and a half thousand Ukrainians granted a visa since Russia's invasion began in 2022 — though the Australian Government's temporary humanitarian visa offer has now expired. Anne Aly is the Minister for Multiculural Affairs: "We have a humanitarian settlement program and our humanitarian settlement program is for the first years in which someone from a refugee background comes to Australia, it provides them with necessary support to start a life here in Australia including trauma-informed support where that has been necessary." And Serhii's story is just one of many being shared at the Freedom Cup. The tournament has become Western Australia's largest celebration of refugee resilience and cultural pride. Twelve teams representing countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, Ukraine and West Papua faced off. Ally Paolino is the acting Regional Director for the Department of Home Affairs "This is one of the best parts of the job — where we can come together. It's a real celebration and collaboration across all tiers of government, service providers and community." When Serhii arrived in Australia, all he had was a blue suitcase. Now — he has a place to call home, and a community standing beside him. "It doesn't matter which passport, doesn't matter which language — I believe this world is for all the people." In a world often divided by conflict and difference… this is a celebration of unity, pride and humanity.
