SMEs satisfaction with Government support falls

*Satisfaction with the government comes back to earth after recent peak

*32 percent of SMEs feel dissatisfied with support from the Federal Government

*Extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off the No.1 popular policy

Research suggests that the gloss has worn off small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) view of the current Government ahead of the federal election. The latest report from the MYOB Business Monitor survey indicates that the number of business owners that are dissatisfied with the level of support they receive from Government are now out-numbering those satisfied.

The figures tell two stories.  On the one hand the Government remains far more popular amongst SMEs than its predecessor.  On the other, as the Government lobbies for pre- election support from this crucial business sector, dissatisfaction levels in the past six months have increased.

Since the Coalition was elected in September 2013, the opinion of the Federal Government has been far more favourable than in the prior four years (ranging between 23 percent and 30 percent), but it has now dipped to its lowest level of 20 percent. 

In terms of satisfaction with the level of Federal Government support, the MYOB Business Monitor also showed a 10 per cent decrease from 30 per cent in October to 20 per cent in this wave. The latest survey also shows dissatisfaction with the level of support from State Governments has also increased significantly in this wave from 30 per cent in October 2015 to 38 per cent.

“This government has announced significant policies to support small and medium businesses,” said MYOB CEO Tim Reed.  “So I’m sure it is concerning that despite an election campaign that has placed a significant amount of attention on business, the results show the government’s message isn’t resonating as strongly as they’d like.”

“After seeing an improvement in perceptions over the last year and a half, we now see that small business operators are feeling less supported by their governments.” 

“Small businesses operators are the backbone of the nation and their views will be closely monitored by all politicians in the final weeks before the election.

“While these latest MYOB survey findings are somewhat sobering, it is not all bad news for the Government.  There were a number of bright spots including a more positive view by younger business owners (dissatisfaction of 22 per cent in Gen Y compared to 37 per cent for baby-boomers) and sole traders (dissatisfaction of 29 per cent compared to 45 per cent for small business).”

The MYOB Business Monitor, now in its seventh year, is a bi-annual national survey of more than 1,000 SME business owners.

Election lead up – what else would SMEs vote for

As the Federal Election approaches, small business owners have indicated they want to see a continuation of the $20,000 instant asset tax write-off scheme.

68 per cent of SMEs surveyed said making the $20,000 instant asset tax write-off a permanent policy was the number one initiative they would vote for.

“It was positive to see the Federal Government increase the eligibility to $10 million for those who are able to access the instant asset write-off, but it’s disappointing that this policy is set to end on 30^th June, 2017. The results from the Business Monitor show that SMEs are calling for the Federal Government to make this permanent,” explained Mr. Reed.

Other key policies that SMEs would vote for include: assigning a proportion of Government procurement contracts to small businesses (58 per cent), the establishment of an incentive bonus for businesses employing people over age 50 (57 per cent), and increased Federal Government funding for skills, training and apprenticeship programs (54 per cent).

“With the Government’s recent investment in the youth employment scheme, PaTH Initiative, it’s interesting to see that a majority of SME owners would also be interested in an incentive bonus for employing people over the age of 50. This would be beneficial to baby boomers who are looking to return to the Australian workforce.”

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For further comment or other information please contact:

Saba Chowdhury, PR Manager, MYOB

M: 61 400 300 913 / E: saba.chowdhury@myob.com

Georgia Colahan, Account Executive, Ogilvy PR

P: 02 8437 5384 / M: 61 432 882 080 / E: georgia.colahan@ogilvy.com.au

About MYOB

MYOB Group Ltd (ASX: MYO) is a leading cloud based business management solutions provider. It makes business life easier for approximately 1.2 million businesses across Australia and New Zealand by simplifying accounting, payroll, tax, practice management, CRM, job costing, inventory and more. MYOB provides ongoing support via many client service channels including a network of over 40,000 accountants, bookkeepers and other consultants. It is committed to ongoing innovation, particularly in cloud computing solutions, and in 2015 was awarded the BRW award for the most innovative large company for 500+ employees and placed 2nd in BRW’s Most Innovative Companies Award list across all categories nationally.  For more information, visit http://investors.myob.com.au/Investors or follow @MYOB on Twitter.

About the MYOB Business Monitor

After six years of conducting the MYOB Small Business Survey we've enhanced it to better reflect the profile of Australian businesses. We've now incorporated medium businesses, along with the sole traders and small businesses that were already part of the survey. We're pleased to present the new look MYOB Business Monitor.

The MYOB Business Monitor is a national survey of over 1000 Australia's business owners (and directors) conducted twice a year by Colmar Brunton.