A strong small business sector is essential to a strong economy. For too long, people in small business have been calling on Australian Governments to recognise the pressures that impact on their activities and to stem the growth of unfair and exploitative practices they are subjected to by an increasingly powerful big business sector.
To bring the issues to the attention of the new Government, the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA), of which VACC is a member, has prepared a ten-point Small Business Charter of Fairness with a call to action for Government to address unfair and anti-competitive practices of big business. (MTAA represents through the various State automotive trades associations, over 80,000 small and medium businesses, employing more than 250,000 people.)

"VACC fully supports this Charter of Fairness proposed by our national body, the MTAA. The Government must enact legislation which addresses the legitimate concerns of small business, corrects the inequities and abuses in the market, and fosters an environment where men and women in small business can invest without fear of exploitation, can create jobs, and provide vital services to the communities in which they operate. With this challenge for Government comes the opportunity to give some meaning to the words 'a fair and level business environment' instead of the hollow words, inaction and lip-service small business has come to expect. It is time for action."
Mr David Purchase, Executive Director of VACC.

For further information, please contact:

Government and Public Affairs, VACC, (03) 9829 1111 or email: govtandpa@vacc.com.au