Small business will be given priority over large business where possible.
Taxation
The Howard Government’s G.S.T is unacceptable if it fails to address the fundamental flaw in the present system – multinationals and major corporations are minimising tax at the expense of small business, PAYE and others. One Nation is developing an alternative taxation system which will be released in the near future. Capital gains tax will be abolished subject to certain conditions.
Industrial Relations
The role of unions is recognised but membership of unions will not be compulsory. Award wages and conditions will continue to underpin enterprise bargaining. Employers will have the same right to dismiss an employee as the employee has to leave the employer. Employers have the right to advertise specifically for the person they require. Workers’ entitlements will be paid before all other creditors in the event of business failure.
Security of Payment for Subcontractors and Suppliers
Sub-contractors and suppliers will be protected by measures which will provide security of payment for goods and services.
Retail Tenancies
Lessors will be required to disclose all rental and associated charges and conditions before a lease is signed. Annual rent rises will be limited to CPI only.
Staff Training Costs
Staff training paid by employers will be recognised by introducing an agreement by staff to remain in the service of their employer for a specified minimum period or pay a penalty.
Finance
The government will re-establish a national bank, providing low cost credit to suitably qualified small enterprises. Assistance will be given to inventors to develop their ideas.
Closure of bank branches in regional and rural areas will be addressed. Inequities in EFTPOS and credit charges applied to small business compared to major retailers will be addressed.
Trading Hours
Trading hours will not be deregulated further without consultation with small business.
National Competition Policy
The National Competition Policy will be abolished.
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance has become an excessive burden and disincentive to small business and is no longer serving its purpose. Quality Assurance laws will be varied to reduce or eliminate the compliance costs to small business and re-establish the useful intent of the Quality Assurance legislation.