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The small-business body aims to quell criticism following a joint statement with the ACTU just before the Jobs and Skills Summit.
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COSBOA clarifies position with statement of intent
28 September 2022
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The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia has released a statement of intent to address issues that arose following the Jobs and Skills Summit in early September.
COSBOA came under fire for its association with the Australian Council of Trade Unions and a joint statement released just days before the summit.
Chair of COSBOA, Matthew Addison, said the statement of intent reiterated the organisation’s direction and advocacy goals on behalf of its members.
“COSBOA has always been committed to strong advocacy for the interests and needs of small businesses at every juncture and opportunity,” Mr Addison said.
“However, to address the recent attention, we have articulated COSBOA’s intents into a publicly accessible document.”
The statement outlined the organisation’s purpose to advocate for small businesses — “the backbone of the economy” — and to have a voice distinct from big business to government, policymakers and the community.
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It said the memorandum of understanding with the ACTU “is intended to recognise one aspect of the many conversations to pursue our objective, that small business has the flexibility to be more productive and to employ more people. We have not agreed to any particular action, we have agreed to discuss topics and options.”
When it comes to industrial relations, it said small businesses “need a system that enables flexibility”.
“The current system is not flexible and easy to navigate for small business who don’t have the in-house resources to interpret complex awards and/or negotiate Enterprise Bargaining Agreements with their workers…,” it said.
“Small businesses seek a simpler system... This may include an option to build bespoke agreements that meet their unique needs and those of their employees.”
Mr Addison said COSBOA’s role had always been to listen to stakeholders and to guide the creation of an ideal policy environment, one in which small businesses and their particular circumstances were recognised.
COSBOA chief executive Alexi Boyd said it existed to do the hard work of ensuring there was equity and fairness in the system and to advocate flexibility and fit-for-purpose models for small-business operators.
“We do and have always listened to various stakeholders, to understand how we can make things better, easier and more effective for small businesses,” she said.
“Because where our systems benefit small business, they will be more productive, and enable growth that everyone can benefit from.”
Members were invited to comment on the statement and provide feedback before the final draft was published and it has now been fully endorsed by the board of COSBOA.
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