Small business owners are more satisfied with the federal government than they have been in recent years, but a new survey has found there are still a lot of changes the sector would like to see implemented to help run their businesses efficiently.
MYOB latest survey found that SME satisfaction with the federal government is at 24 per cent, its highest level since November 2009, where it peaked at 29 per cent.
Small business owners dissatisfied with the federal government was at a high point of 57 per cent in July 2012 but rapidly fell to 32 per cent in the last six months.
“This is our first measure of SME sentiment regarding the federal government since the election and it appears sentiment is moving from negative to neutral," MYOB chief executive Tim Reed said.
Mr Reed said the drop in dissatisfaction “could mean small business owners like what they are hearing from the government but may need more action to lift their levels of satisfaction”.
MYOB’s survey revealed the SME policy wish-list, outlining changes the sector would like to see implemented.
Small business owners have said that reducing red tape and lowering the paperwork burden on the GST/BAS reporting process would make business life a lot less stressful.
With fuel prices being a large expense for small businesses, owners have proposed that an increased investment in transport infrastructure by the federal government would help to reduce these costs.
As the internet has provided many businesses with the opportunity to expand, advertise and reach out to a wider customer base, owners and managers have also called for government-funded training programs to be provided to all small businesses that can teach them how to use the internet to enhance and grow their business.
Many businesses are also feeling a need for more funding for innovation, skills, research and development, as well as training programs to help grow the overall performance and quality of their employees to a higher standard.
The overall increase in SME satisfaction with the federal government has been synonymous with strong performance in the SME sector.
“The SME business outlook is definitely more upbeat, with one third expecting their revenue to increase in 2014, up from one quarter in September 2013” says Mr Reed.
“This indicates the tide is turning for Australia’s economic engine.”
