The latest Westpac Business Bank survey provides further evidence for the Rudd Government’s bold new reform agenda to slash administrative red tape, Small Business Minister Dr Craig Emerson said today.
Results released by Westpac and compiled by East and Partners show that some small businesses spend up to 20 hours a week on administration alone.
“For example, NSW small businesses spend almost 20 hours per week on administrative duties, five hours more when compared to Queensland businesses,” Dr Emerson said.
“Astonishingly, that’s more than two days work on administrative duties that can only serve to restrict small businesses and hinder their growth.
“It adds to the stress of running a small business and forces a cut back in rest and family time.”
Dr Emerson said the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) recently endorsed a re-energised and bold new agenda of reform to cut administrative red tape.
The agreed reform program now covers an unprecedented 27 areas of overlapping and inconsistent regulation across the Commonwealth, States and Territories from Occupational Health and Safety regulations to building regulations.
“We’re doing what the Coalition Government failed to do - help small business,” Dr Emerson said.
Hours spent on business administration by State per Week*
| NSW |
19.9
|
| VIC |
15.7 |
| QLD |
15 |
| Other |
18.3 |
• Source: Westpac Media Release (6 May 2008) Cut it Out – Westpac research shows small business hung up on red tape.
Media Contact: Chris Ward 0418 424 654