The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is putting pressure on the new Turnbull government to maintain commitments made to small businesses and tax reforms.
According to proposals, retailers are expecting the government to lift retail, consumer and business confidence through further GST reform, employment law reform and changes to the payments system as recommended by the Financial Systems Inquiry (FSI).
Other key reforms would include the introduction of a competition effects test and instatement of the zero value import threshold to be implemented before July 2017.
ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman has welcomed the Cabinet reshuffle and hopes it will provide ongoing support for small businesses.
“The surge in confidence expressed this week within business is reflective of the Government’s commitment to address issues including GST collection on overseas purchases and the possibility of real reform of competition policy.
“The ARA is pleased to see small business remains in the Cabinet, with the Assistant Treasury portfolio covering off many important areas for the retail sector, from the FSI payments reform to the Harper Review competition recommendations.
“It is now incumbent on the Turnbull Government to commence the task of implementing many of the recommendations which have been made in recent reviews from the Productivity Commission, Harper Review to the FSI.”
Zimmerman also issued a reminder that around 10% of the Australian population is currently employed in the retail sector.
“The 140,000 Australian independent retail business are demanding that the coalition bring in an effects test as per the recommendations of the Harper review, while a reduction in penalty rates for retailers is crucial in the upcoming Fairwork review.
“The ARA looks forward to working with all key economic productivity Ministers, including Treasurer, Scott Morrison, Simon Birmingham through Education, Alex Hawke as Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, and Mathias Cormann in Finance.”