17th April 2007 
 
The Institute supports Labor’s plans to slash small business red tape, in particular the implementation of BAS Simplification to ease the burden of GST compliance on small business and the harmonisation of payroll tax, announced during the Leader of the Opposition's National Press Club address earlier today. 
 
The Institute has actively lobbied for a reduction in the onerous red tape for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and over the past year has worked closely with the current Government, providing feedback on its report examining regulatory burdens on business - Rethinking Regulation. 
 
The Institute’s SME Chairwoman, Sue Prestney, said: "The Opposition’s plans to reduce small business regulation, in an effort to promote innovation, demonstrates a willingness to treat business red tape as a serious issue". 
 
The Institute believes the plan to reduce the GST compliance on SMEs and harmonize payroll tax is encouraging for small business owners nation-wide and would continue the current Government’s efforts to reduce the regulatory burden on small business.