Small Business Ministerial Council (SBMC) 

Background

The Small Business Ministerial Council replaced the Australian Government's National Small Business Summit initiative and has responsibility for small business issues previously assigned to the Industry, Technology and Regional Development Council.

The Council meets annually and comprises Australian Government, State, Territory and New Zealand Government Ministers directly responsible for small business policy.  A representative from the Australian Local Government Association is invited to attend meetings, when local government matters are considered.

The objectives of the Council are to:

• provide a forum for Ministers to consult and consider small business issues of strategic national significance:
• promote a national, consistent and coordinated approach to small business policy and its development;
• where appropriate, provide the means to achieve integration of action by governments on small business issues;
• where there is agreement, act as an advocate for small business policy issues across all levels of government; and
• act as an advocate on behalf of small business and liaise with other Ministerial Councils and other bodies on matters relevant to the activities of the Council.

Meeting Outcomes

On 23 May 2008, the Council held its tenth meeting in Christchurch, NZ to discuss a range of small business issues.

Prior Meetings

The inaugural Council meeting was held in Darwin on 28 October 1999. Subsequent meetings of the Council were held in:

• Mt Gambier on 23 November 2000;
• Canberra on 29 June 2001;
• Sydney on 3 July 2002;
• Melbourne on 31 July 2003;
• Hobart on 28 July 2004;
• Brisbane on 27 July 2005;
• Melbourne on 16 June 2006;
• Perth on 27 July 2007; and
• Christchurch on 23 May 2008.

Chairing and Secretariat Arrangements

The Small Business Ministerial Council has a rotating Chair and a rotating Secretariat.

In 2007-08, the Hon Clayton Cosgrove was Chair of the Council, and the NZ Ministry of Economic Development provided secretariat support.

At the May 2008 meeting, it was agreed that the Northern Territory (NT) would host the 2009 meeting of the Council.  The Hon Kon Vatskalis, NT Minister for Business and Economic Development, is Chair of the Council for 2008-09.   

Publications and Papers

Council publications and endorsed papers include: 

• Home-based Business: Local Opportunities - (July 2004);
• Giving small business a voice – Achieving best practice consultation with small business - (March 2000); and
• Giving small business a voice – Developing strategies for informing small business about regulation - (March 2000).

Contact

For further information email the Industry and Small Business Policy Division.