PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER] 4/ 92
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON. P. J. KEATING, MP
SMALL BUSINESS COALITION
I have today asked the Minister for Small Business,
Construction and Customs, Mr Beddall, to convene a meeting
with the Small Business Coalition at the earliest
opportunity. I will attend the meeting which will follow talks with small
and large business and unions already arranged for Sydney
and Melbourne over the next two weeks.
The Small Business Coalition, which represents more than
organisationts, traditionally meets the Minister for Small
Business and other Ministers twice a year at a Small
Business Forum to put an agreed position to the Government
on small business issues. I last met the Coalition as
Treasurer in, April last year.
As the largest employer of the Australian workforce it is
important the Government seeks the views of small business
in the lead-up to the Economic Statement.
Although business people from all States will be involved in
the meetings in Sydney and Melbourne the Small Business
Coalition has a much broader representative base in the
small business sector.
It includes small business organisations such as COSBOA
( Council of Small Business Associations of Australia) and
ASBA ( Australian Small Business Association). Other members
include the Australian Federation of Business and
Professional Women, the Motor Trades Association, the
Australian Tourism Industry Association, the Retail Traders
Association and the Master Builders Construction and Housing
Association. Larger business organisations such as the Confederation of
Australian Industry, the Australian Chamber of Manufactures,
the Metal Trades Industry Association and the National
Farmers Federation, which have large numbers of small
business members, are also represented.
January 13 1.992