Petition for profitability

To the Parliament of Australia:

We, the undersigned Australians, small business owners, contractors, family enterprises, self-employed Australians and customers, call on the Commonwealth Government to act urgently to restore profitability, fairness and respect for Australians in small business who keep Australia running. 

Small business is the beating heart of Australia's communities. 

We are Australia's largest employers, and often a young Australian's first. We serve the community every day and are the first to help community groups. We back ourselves, and take risks that others won't and work long hours that only our families see. When we open our doors it is for our staff, families, and the community we call home. 

But we are ignored by Canberra who listen to big business whose lobbyists stalk the Prime Minister's corridor. 

Small business are being crushed by:

1. Late payments that kill cash flow.
2. Rising operating costs.
3. Rising energy bills.
4. Rising insurance bills.
5. Complex and constantly changing regulation.
6. Overly complex workplace laws designed for unions and big business.
7. Unfair contract terms.
8. Poor support from government procurement.
9. Little consideration when government designs laws.
10. Market power imbalances that favour big business.
11. Record insolvencies.
12. Declining consumer and small business confidence hurting demand.

We are being asked to absorb higher costs without flexibility, market power, a voice or support to be profitable. While big business wins, we get squeezed.