Co-op sector welcomes budget spotlight on small business

13 May 2015

Following the announcement last night of the Federal Government’s Budget for 2015, the BCCM has welcomed the 1.5 per cent tax break and the accelerated depreciation provisions given to small businesses.

Reacting to the Federal Budget, Melina Morrison, BCCM CEO, stated “What we, the co-operative sector, want to know, is how the government plans to empower small businesses to improve their business efficiency and lower their operating costs over the longer term? Forming purchasing co-operatives is a tried and tested method for small and medium enterprises to group together for aggregate buying power.”

Ms Morrison added “Co-operatives operate as small business incubators. They support these enterprises daily by procuring services from local small businesses and stocking local products on their shelves.”

Noting the Harper Review’s recommendations of the need in raising awareness of co-operatives, Ms Morrison concluded that “…government should look at the role that co-operatives already play in supporting many successful Australian small businesses, as well as looking at how government can help businesses to form new co-operatives to grow and compete.