Special Report: Small business: pawns or players?

In a rare moment of candour after last year’s Federal election, former Labor leader Mark Latham acknowledged that his party’s policies had failed to keep pace with changing society.

The latest statistical snapshot of the small business sector has highlighted the emergence over the past decade of home-based businesses, which account for 72 per cent of the 139,500 small businesses in Western Australia.

The number of small business lobby groups in Western Australia has ballooned over the past year, and while all cover similar issues they represent different parts of the small business community.

Information management consultant Chris Gentle illustrates the modern face of small business.

Tax is the number one State government issue for small businesses in Western Australia, a survey by the Combined Small Business Alliance has found.

A home-operated business started in May 2003 by Jenny Spring so she could spend more time raising her children has become a global operation with forward estimate earnings of $4 million.

WA Retail & Small Business Association, CEO Brett DunstoneOpposes deregulation. Formed in mid 2004. Claims non-political status but was launched by Colin Barnett.