Michael McCormack has been named the new dedicated small-business minister, having replaced Kelly O’Dwyer.
Ms O’Dwyer has been moved to the new portfolio of Minister for Revenue and Financial Services.
Both COSBOA CEO Peter Strong and ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman congratulated Mr McCormack, but expressed displeasure at the removal of the Small Business portfolio from Cabinet.
“Mr McCormack has the confidence of the sector, but we are disappointed the portfolio has moved from Cabinet and we will be seeking answers to why this has happened,” Mr Strong said. “Small business is powerful, employing around five million Australians and driving the country’s economy, so why has the portfolio moved? What’s happened and what pressures have caused this, perhaps big businesses and unions are in play?”
Mr Zimmerman said: “Given its important role within the economy, the omission of the Small Business portfolio from one of the largest cabinets in decades does not augur well. The exclusion of Small Business at a point when the economy needs business the most is a step backwards. We can only hope that Mr McCormack is able to make the voice of Small Business heard.”
