NEWS DESK
Billson’s ‘small business budget’ Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au THIS year’s federal budget has been dubbed “the small business budget” and Dunkley Liberal MP Bruce Billson has been right in the thick of it, as you’d expect from the Small Business Minister. The minister said it had been an honour to help craft a “significant small business and jobs package” for the budget. “For us in our community small business is the economy,” he said. “It’s the largest small business package that the nation’s seen. It’s something I’ve been working on and advocating for for some time and has been the key focus of my work for many years.” Mr Billson, a former small business owner in Mornington himself, said he understands the challenges faced by small businesses and is keen to help “hard working” owners create jobs. The Abbott government has committed $5.5 billion to give small businesses a 1.5 per cent tax cut and allow small businesses, with a turnover of less than $2 million, to claim a tax deduction on business items costing less than $20,000. Mr Billson denied the tax cut and incentive is reckless given the Abbott government’s pledge to cut the national deficit. “What we’ve done in this budget, wherever we’ve had new initiatives we’ve made sure they’ve been more than offset than savings elsewhere in the budget.”
The $5.5 billion small business package had been primarily funded by dropping the Liberals’ proposed paid parental leave scheme. He denied walking away from the scheme is not a broken promise despite Prime Minister Tony Abbott describing it as his “signature” policy before winning government. “It’s a bit rich when people say that,” he said. “Labor runs around and is quite shrill and divisive and incredibly aggressive in its opposition to things the government wants to do, blocks them and then gloats about the fact they’ve blocked them, then squeal we have to take a different course.” Mr Billson said the Coalition government was forced to drop the paid parental leave scheme because its opponents in the Senate made it clear it would not be passed. The member for Dunkley said he was not sure who coined the “Have a Go” slogan for this year’s budget. “It does encapsulate the idea that we’re an optimistic country and we have ambitions and if government can create the right conditions that turn ambition into action that’s a good thing.” When asked about the Liberals’ fondness for three-word slogans – think “Stop the Boats” and “Axe the Tax” - Mr Billson said there is not much point in governments working hard on policy but failing to “connect with the audience”. “You do need to encapsulate at times all different kinds of thoughts and ideas into a communication method that gets the ideas across and doesn’t bore people witless,” he said.
The phrase “Have a Go” is meant to encourage people “with hopes for their future” to “get amongst it if you’ve got an idea to grow your business – let’s do it.” As Small Business Minister, Mr Billson said he cannot ensure every business is successful but he can strive to remove obstacles and barriers to business. As for Frankston, he said he is encouraged to see some new and different businesses arrive in the community. “We need to deepen and broaden the nature of the local economy.” He admitted retail is challenged by “disruptive” market forces and he is keen to see Frankston businesses harness new technology to win business from online competitors moving into their market. In his budget reply speech he called Joe Hockey’s second budget as Treasurer “a hoax, a mirage, a smokescreen” that will fail to fix Australia’s national deficit. Mr Shorten slammed the budget for failing to invest in infrastructure or prepare the country “for the digital age”. Mr Billson believes Labor has a short memory when it comes to deficits. “The previous [Labor] government had a capacity to spend money and build in financial commitments without turning its mind to how to pay for them. “As is so often the case we get elected to fix up the mess and then deal with the challenges of change and adjustment to try to get our finances and the country back on track.”
Flourish Cafe Monday Pasta Nights Monday Pasta Nights Choice of 3 Pastas. (Vegetarian, seafood or meat) $16 Pasta (Children $10) $20 Pasta and Wine. Bookings essential
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Its Friday 1st Friday of every month Live Music Includes a 2 course meal and a glass of wine. $38.00 per person. ia Triv ncing Bookings essential me Com Soon
Poetry workshop A POETRY for Page and Stage workshop will be held 5.30-7.30pm, Wednesday 20 May, at Frankston Library. Poet Andrea Louise Thomas will teach how to create pieces for both page and stage, and look at what works best for each format. Participants will write and perform their own work. Book for the free workshop on 9784 1020 or visit library. frankston.vic.gov.au
Budget blues
It’s a numbers game AN Understanding Your Numbers workshop will be held 6-8pm, Thursday 21 May, at Frankston Civic Centre. The workshop helps business people understand what financial numbers mean. Call 9784 1875 or visit business@frankston.vic.gov.au
Small Business Minister Bruce Billson
SMALL Business Minister Bruce Billson has admitted the Abbott Government “bit off more than we could chew” with last year’s controversial cost-cutting budget. The budget, Treasurer Joe Hockey’s first since the Coalition won government back from Labor, was widely unpopular due to funding cuts to family tax benefits, community legal aid services and a $7 Medicare co-payment that was later dropped such was the negative political fallout. Mr Billson insisted “it had some good measures in it” and “opened up educational opportunities to a broader range of people”. However, he did conceded “we were trying to do too much too quickly”. “The need for change wasn’t something that was broadly understood ... that was one of the shortcomings of our approach.”
Learn safety online LEARN how to stay safe online, search the web and use email safely at Cyber Safety for Seniors, 10am, Friday 22 May, at Frankston Library. Book for this free session on 9784 1020.
Author event Meet local authors to discuss generating ideas and translating them into something tangible, 6pm, Tuesday 26 May, Frankston Library. Book on 9784 1020.
Faces of Frankston BEST known for his series of famous selfies Richard and Famous, photographer Richard Simpkin’s Locals of Frankston exhibition is showing on the Curved Wall at Frankston Arts Centre until 27 June.
M MAREES TOURS Theatre Shows, Day Trips, Extended Trips and Much More
Day Trips: Altona Homestead Date: Wednesday May 27th Cost: $65
Convent Gardens Dayleford Date: Wednesday August 26th Cost: $69
Lobster Cave Luncheon Date: Wednesday June 3rd Cost: $60
Old Gippstown Date: Wednesday September 30th Cost: $65
Pentridge Divison Tour Date: Wednesday June 17th Cost: $65
Rhododendron Farm & Lunch at Fortnums Date: Wednesday October 21st Cost: $68
Xmas in July at the Cuckoo Date: Wednesday July 8th Cost: $65
Wonthaggi Worksman’s Club Date: Tuesday November 10th Cost: $48
Magistrates Court Date: Tuesday July 21st Cost: $65
Dinner & Xmas Lights at Ivanhoe Date: To be confirmed Cost: $65
Miss Fishers Costume Exhibiton @ Rippon Lea Date: Wednesday August 12th Cost: $65
Xmas Break Up @ Clover Cottage Date: Wednesday December 9th Cost: $85
MERIMBULA EXTENDED TRIP Merimbula Dates: Monday May 18th - Friday May 22nd Cost: $725 per person Receive 10% off on mention of this advert
44 Norman Ave Frankston, Victoria (03) 9787 8489 www.flourishcafe.com.au
Open for breakfast and lunch daily ( Sunday - breakfast only)
Ph (03) Ph: (03)) 9750 0066 Mobile: Mobile 0425 753 152 PO Box 4182, Frankston Heights, 3199 www.mareestours.com Frankston Times 18 May 2015
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