Fresh start for WA’s Small Business Development Corporation

The West Australian government faces a character test in the eyes of local small business people as it ponders the future of its Small Business Development Corporation in the wake the departure of managing director, Mr Stephen Moir.

“While we didn’t always agree with Steve’s decisions, it is important that the SBDC has a strong leader who can advocate for small business at the State level,” says BEC Australia chairman Peter Murray. “We thank Mr Moir for his efforts in assisting small business in WA whilst SBDC Managing Director and in his previous roles.”

“We believe Steve’s departure is an invaluable opportunity for the government to demonstrate its on-going support of WA’s Small Business sector by making the SBDC a truly independent body, such as an independent statutory authority with a seven member board.

Bleak Outlook for Sydney as NSW Government Slashes Small Businesses Support

At a time when NSW needs small business the most, the Department of State and Regional Development is proposing to bite $1.5 million dollars from the hand that feeds the economy, by reducing the grass roots small business advisory service across Sydney and instead funding a one-size-fits-all website, says Business Enterprise Centres Australia.

“We understand the state government is feeling the heat of the GFC, but what we can’t understand is why Premier Nathan Rees is allowing bureaucrats to rip away support for the very sector that is helping to insulate the state from the economic downturn,” says BEC Australia chair, Peter Murray.

GFC Demands Higher Standards for Australian Small Business Advisors

To coincide with the National Small Business Summit, Australia’s peak body for small business advice, Business Enterprise Centres Australia, says while “national” standards provide an acceptable measure for business advisors, the post-GFC world will demand higher, “international” levels.

“We have an intelligent group of small business advisors who understand the grass roots issues facing small businesses in Australia,” says BEC Australia chair, Peter Murray.

“Our challenge is to make sure we are helping small businesses be the best they can be to compete globally, especially in the wake of the GFC, which is why we are formalising our strategic alliance with the Australasian Institute of Enterprise Facilitators (AIEF).

Budget 09: Encore for Small Business

Federal Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has sent a strong signal that the Coalition understands small business and is prepared to make changes to ease the burden on this vital sector of our nation’s economy, says the Business Enterprise Centres Australia, the county’s peak body on small business advice.

“Opposition proposals to reduce red tape, enable small business to take on and keep more apprentices, and roll out a tax-loss carryback policy, all touch important issues for small business people in Australia,” says BEC Australia chair, Peter Murray.

“Mr Turnbull’s budget reply suggests that both major parties are listening to small business in Australia and both have put forward proposals of considerable merit.

Budget 09: It’s Small Business Calling

As the dust begins to settle amid the hype of Federal Budget week, there is a particular gem that many commentators have overlooked and for which the Rudd Government needs congratulations, according to Australia’s Peak Body for Small Business Advice, BEC Australia.

Among a number of welcome measures for “the backbone of the Australian economy”, $10 million has been set aside for a Small Business Support Line that will link business people to their local support and advice network.

“In today’s fast-changing environment, a well-managed support line could be just the thing small business owners need to guide them through the turbulence,” says BEC Australia Chairperson, Peter Murray.

WA’s Small Business needs more assistance not less

Western Australia, once our nation’s great engine room of economic prosperity is teetering on the brink of implosion and the Barnett Government needs to provide additional support to small businesses especially those in the regions rather than playing the dangerous game of tinkering with vital small business support services by cutting funding from Belmont Business Enterprise Centre-Small Business Centre, says Business Enterprise Centres Australia.

“Any government worthy of managing a state’s economy should know that Australia’s two million plus small businesses keep this country alive and employ more than half the workforce,” says BEC Australia chairperson, Peter Murray.

“That’s a lot of jobs and the Barnett Government should be paying close attention to the health and vitality of the small business sector, especially when figures revealed this week show  WA job ads have plummeted almost 50 per cent in 12 months – the worst performance in Australia.

SBDC Decision: The Ultimate Kamikaze Blow To Small Business in WA

If Western Australia’s Small Business Development Corporation wanted to wreak havoc with hundreds of small businesses and thousands of families throughout the state, while also undermining its own future, it would be hard to surpass its recent decision to sever funding from the Belmont Business Enterprise Centre – Small Business Centre as of June 30, according to BEC Australia.

“This is a master move in mass destruction of WA’s small business advice network,” says BEC Australia chairman Peter Murray.

“If the SBDC was engaged in a war against the local small business sector, hitting the award-winning Belmont BEC – SBC would be a brilliant blow because the vibrant centre reaches out to WA enterprises far beyond its own neighbourhood.

“This short-sighted, eleventh-hour decision, to rob the Belmont BEC – SBC of the last year of its three-year funding agreement puts other WA-based business advisory services on notice that if you succeed and if you are innovative in finding new ways to fuel the economy, you will be punished,” he says.

“Mayday” for Small Business in WA

Western Australia’s Small Business Development Corporation has sent small business support in WA into a tail spin by slashing funding from the successful Belmont Business Enterprise Centre and doling out the funds in “pocket money“ portions to other centres across the state.

“I am not sure what is more staggering – the undermining of a successful small business support centre, or this wholesale redistribution of funds ‘out of the blue’,” says BEC Australia chairman Peter Murray.

“It beggars belief watching a practical grant of $93,000 being taken from a lean, efficient Business Enterprise Centre, and being redistributed in token handouts of less than $4,900 to 19 centres, 12 of which the Corporation’s managing director admits will likely struggle for survival anyway!

“WA taxpayers should be outraged by this misguided decision that will not only impact the Belmont BEC, but will impact thousands of families linked to the state’s small businesses which have been receiving  guidance, support and training through the centre to help them grow and continue contributing to the state’s economy,” he says.

New Funding for ‘Nation Building’ BEC Network

Business Enterprise Centres in every state of Australia are among recipients of Federal Government funding as part of round two of the Small Business Advisory Services program (SBAS).

“This extra funding is a vote of confidence in the important, nation-building work our Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) are carrying out as they support small and micro businesses with advice and training,” says BEC Australia chairman Peter Murray.

“A flourishing small and micro business sector is vital to Australia’s economic security and this new round of funding will ensure the BEC network will continue to play its vital role in a diverse range of regions and communities across Australia,” he says.

Hands off the SBDC, warns BEC Australia

Australia’s peak body for Small Business Advice, Business Enterprise Centres Australia, is urging the WA government to ignore calls to privatise or amalgamate the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC).

The privatisation calls are being viewed by many observers as a move by the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry to position itself to take over SBDC contracts, including small business support and advice work carried out by Small Business Centres and Business Enterprise Centres throughout WA.

“This is a dangerous time for playing with WA’s support mechanism for small business,” says BEC Australia chairman, Peter Murray.

“Firstly, the economy is providing a more challenging environment than usual this year, leading to a 47 per cent jump in small businesses seeking advice and support from Business Enterprise Centres nationwide.