The latest Sensis Business Index – Small and Medium Enterprises shows that support from small and medium enterprises for Federal Labor’s policies has continued its downward spiral since Labor took office in 2007. The latest update shows it has collapsed by 59pp.

In November 2007, the Sensis Business Index saw that the net balance of SMEs who believed that the Federal Government’s policies were supportive of small business was +29%.  Just three years later this figure is at -30%.  According to Sensis this is the lowest result since May 2001.

“This unprecedented turnaround is a further illustration of the damage that Labor is doing to the engine room of the Australian economy. When will Julia Gillard take notice of the cries of the small business sector?” Senator Ryan said.

The proportion of SMEs that believe that the Federal Government’s policies are supportive of small business crashed from 46% in November 2007 to 10% in November 2010.

The proportion of SMEs that believe that Federal Government’s policies work against small business has skyrocketed from 17% to 40% over the same period.

“From nearly half of small businesses viewing federal government policies as supportive only three years ago, now only one in ten holds that view. Nearly half are of the view that the Labor Government is making their life and work more difficult than it needs to be. By any measure this is a damnation of the record of the Labor Government.”

“Labor’s proposed Carbon Tax and flawed superannuation policy show that times are going to get even tougher for small business under a Labor Government. Minister Sherry should come out and fight for small business rather than simply act as Labor’s agent attempting to smooth over the legitimate worries and fears small businesspeople have about Labor’s agenda,” said Senator Ryan.