Headline: Small businesses stiffed by Government
Start-ups have fallen by an alarming 2,500 a year under National, showing the Government is stiffing small business, says Labour’s Small Business spokesperson David Clark.
“Small businesses are the heart of the economy but National is sucking the life out of them.
“New Zealanders are innovative people. But since John Key came to power there are almost 2,500 fewer people starting their own business a year. National is crushing the spirit of our entrepreneurs.
“Small businesses create 30 per cent of all jobs but National has put a tired old has-been as minister. National supports their mates at the big end of town while small business owners suffer.
“Since John Banks became small business minister he’s spent so much time in the courts and scrapping with Kim Dotcom that he has done nothing new in his portfolio.
“By nothing, I mean nothing. John Banks has not announced a single new initiative for small businesses. Even Steven Joyce couldn’t name one project John Banks had created. The best he could come up with in defence of Mr Banks was that he attends Cabinet Committee meetings. Thanks for your efforts John.
“While Mr Banks was missing in action, costs, compliance and pressure have built up. Small businesses are being charged an extra $45 a year for the Companies Office and for the Financial Markets Authority. Oversight of finance companies should not be a burden on small businesses – they are the victims when finance speculators fail.
“The Government is creating a two-speed economy where entrepreneurs are the losers and property speculators are the winners.
“No wonder Kiwis aren’t starting businesses. The Government must stop making it harder for our small firms.
“Labour will celebrate our entrepreneurs and encourage them to build a business,” says David Clark.
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