Little change was expected as a result of yesterday’s cabinet shuffle, however there were certainly questions around the role of the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Small Business, Kelly O’Dwyer.

By mid-afternoon it was clear that Ms Dwyer was one of a number of women to be demoted as a result of the changes among what is now the largest ministry in Australia’s history.

 

 

As the dust settled, we discovered that Australia’s new Minister for Small Business (following today’s swearing in at Government House) will be Nationals MP Michael McCormack. Mr McCormack spent the last term as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance.

Unfortunately, the Minister will not be taking a place in Cabinet, as the portfolio has been moved to the outer ministry – a somewhat surprising move for a Government that spent eight weeks campaigning on ‘Jobs and Growth’.

 

 

Peter Strong, CEO of the Council of Small Business Australia, was respectful of Mr McCormack, while being critical of the portfolio’s demotion. “Mr McCormack has the confidence of the sector, however we are disappointed the portfolio has moved from cabinet and we will be seeking answers to why this has happened.

“Small business is powerful, employing around five million Australians and driving the country’s economy, so why has the portfolio moved? What’s happened and what pressures have caused this, perhaps big businesses and unions, are in play? In our opinion this is a step backwards for small business,” stated Mr. Strong.

 

 

Mr Turnbull has already assured critics that small business should be at the heart of every portfolio – a claim that seems a long bow to draw given the diversity of the ministries and his need to appease both the Nationals and conservatives with places inside cabinet.

Mr Strong also had nice things to say about another Nationals’ member who was yesterday granted the Resources portfolio. “We also welcome the appointment of Senator Matthew Canavan into a cabinet role as he also strongly supports our sector.”

 

 

Parliament resumes in Canberra on Tuesday 30 August 2016.