The honeymoon period seems to be over for small businesses’ view of the Federal Government, with dissatisfaction soaring to 37 per cent.
That is the finding of the September 2014 MYOB Business Monitor Report, which found small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are not as happy with the Liberal government now, compared to when they came into office, when dissatisfaction was at 32 per cent.
The 1000 business operators surveyed complained the Government was turning a blind eye to the issues impacting them, with 61 per cent dissatisfied and only 33 per cent satisfied.
“While still pretty good by historical standards, it’s a shame to see support for the Government slipping away after they made good gains in reaching the small business community in their first year,” MYOB CEO Tim Reed said.
“Of particular concern is the support that small businesses have for policies the Government is removing, such as the $6500 instant asset write off and accelerated depreciation of motor vehicles.”
The business, professional and property sector felt the Government had the greatest understanding of their issues with a 42 per cent satisfaction rate, while manufacturing and wholesale industry stood at 39 per cent.
However agribusiness (18 per cent) and other industries like mining, communication services, cultural and recreational services, education, and gas and water supply services felt the Government had the least understanding of their issues.
More than half of those surveyed (56 per cent) want increased government funding for training and apprenticeship programs, while 55 per cent supported a reduction in the company tax rate from 30 to 28.5 per cent.
Reed noted businesses support the Government’s move of pushing back the rise in the superannuation guarantee, indexing fuel excise and putting the Australian Taxation Office in charge of super and maternity payments.
