Small Business Minister Nick Sherry’s recent release of the Resolution of Small Business Disputes options paper is nothing more than window dressing. 

In Budget Estimates in the Senate Economics Committee last night, Senator Sherry admitted that no money had been allocated, nor was a timetable for implementation of the preferred model specified. 

Senator Ryan:       Do you have a timeframe for the implementation; a decision about a preferred option, legislation if required, and allocation of funds – assuming that is required?

Senator Sherry:  Well a decision will be made once consultation is concluded.

Ryan:                      Do you have a timeframe for all of that?

Sherry:                   No.

 “As Small Business Minister, Senator Sherry is more concerned about the illusion of activity than improving conditions facing small business,” said Senator Scott Ryan, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Fair Competition. 

The options paper describes as ‘lengthy’ the time required to implement the option of the National Small Business Tribunal, but neither the minister nor his Department were able to indicate whether this meant two, five or more years. 

“If Nick Sherry is going to continue to steal Coalition policies aimed at helping small businesses continue to grow, prosper and employ more Australians – the least he can do is get serious about funding and implementing them,” Senator Ryan said.