Advocating for small business

Ensuring the voice of Western Australian small business is heard and considered by governments at all levels is one of our key roles.

Our Policy and Advocacy team is focused on:

• evaluating and providing advice on new and existing government policies and legislation
• completing submissions to governmental and parliamentary reviews and inquiries
• conducting research into the small business sector
• liaising with, and representing, the views of small business owners to government bodies
• providing advice and support to the Minister for Small Business on matters affecting the sector.

Through this work, we influence the development of policy and legislation that relates to the small business sector, ensuring that its impact is minimised. By doing so, we are supporting the government to improve the operating environment for small business owners in Western Australia.

Completed policy and advocacy activities

Policy submissions and advocacy work we completed during the 2024-25 year includes:

Legislation, policy and advocacy

• Collaborated with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) and Energy Policy WA in relation to a proposed regulatory framework for the on selling of electricity within embedded networks in shopping centres.
• Represented small business interests to DEMIRS and the Federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources regarding the implementation of mandatory Seafood Country of Origin Labelling in hospitality settings.

Partnerships and collaboration

Worked closely with:

• The Commonwealth Treasury, States and Territories to develop the National Small Business Strategy.
• Small Business Commissioner offices across Australia to share policy insights and small business trends.
• The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI) on the development of a SME Climate Adaptation support program.
• JTSI on the development of the Local Capability Fund – Digital Transformation round.
• The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to implement the Noongar Economic Participation Framework.

Government reviews and regulatory proposals

Prepared submissions to the Commonwealth Government regarding Treasury’s consultation on:

• The statutory review of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
• The design of proposed general and specific prohibitions on unfair trading practices.
• Consideration of a licensing regime for the franchising sector.
• Defining an Australian Business for Commonwealth procurement.
• The Franchising Code of Conduct exposure draft.
• Amendments to payment times reporting rules.
• A proposed new competition regime for digital platforms.
• The proposal to mandate cash acceptance for essential items.

Provided submissions to the Commonwealth Government on:

• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ consultation on the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review.
• Department of Finance’s consultation on the consideration of broader economic benefits in procurement.

Made a submission to the Commonwealth Parliamentary inquiry into:

• Senate Economic References Committee consultation on ‘Big box’ retailer price setting

Prepared a submission to the State Government on:

• Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ consultation on the draft Local Government (Uniform Local Provisions) Amendment Regulations 2024.

Prepared submissions to the industry-led consultation on:

• The Review of the 2022 NIBA Insurance Brokers Code of Practice.
• Changes to the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct.

Provided advice to government stakeholders on a range of matters including:

• Development of the Digital Industries Acceleration Strategy.
• Development of the Climate Change SME Sector Adaptation Plan.
• Crash Industry Towing Industry Reforms.

Help shape future policy and advocacy submissions

The views of small business owners play an important role in helping us learn more about their key concerns. These views are then incorporated into our policy submissions.

If you operate a small business in WA and would like to have your say on issues affecting the sector by participating in future surveys, please contact us.