Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said Labor should come clean on how much taxpayer money was wasted on what he describes as a PR exercise after the Albanese Government recently released a National Small Business Strategy.  

“It is nothing but spin, offering no new policies or support for Australia’s struggling small businesses,” he said.

A media release issued by Mr Hogan’s office last week stated since Labor took office, over 27000 businesses have gone broke with the December 2024 quarter the worst for insolvencies on record, with nearly 4000 closures.

Mr Hogan said a third of the document is filled with cover pages, artwork, and photos, many of which aren’t even Australian businesses, but stock images from the US including a New Jersey bakery and two carpenters that featured in a Bank of America innovation campaign.

“My advice to small businesses is don’t bother printing it, it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on,” Mr Hogan said.

Mr Hogan said instead of real action, the strategy rehashes existing policies and vague commitments such as ‘continuing meetings’ and ‘working together’, while small businesses face skyrocketing costs, rising insolvencies, and no relief from Labor’s economic failures.

“Small businesses deserve better than Labor’s empty gestures and foreign stock photos,” Mr Hogan said.

“It’s time for real policies that actually help the people who keep our economy running.

“A Coalition Government will back small business as the key driver of economic growth and security.

“We will be unashamedly pro small business, delivering reforms to help the small business sector grow and get back on track.

“This includes reversing the damaging aspects of Labor’s complex industrial relations reforms, cutting red and green tape that is stopping businesses from getting ahead, and delivering cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy.”