Small businesses should use the next week to have their say on where red tape should be cut, the Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey, urged.
The Taskforce on Reducing the Regulatory Burden on Business, announced by the Prime Minister in October, is examining and recommending on areas where red tape can be cut to provide immediate benefits for small business.
Small businesses have until 22 November to lodge submissions. The Taskforce is due to report early in 2006. To have your say, visit www.regulationtaskforce.gov.au.

Coles Myer has sold six of the nine of its loss-making Megamart stores to discount furniture and electrical retailer Harvey Norman. All six Megamart stores (Chadstone, Fountain Gate, Sunshine and Thomastown in Melbourne, Alexandria in Sydney and Coorparoo in Brisbane) are to be rebranded as Harvey Norma are on long-term leases. Coles Myer has not been able to make a profit on the Megamart stores since their first opeing in 1998.
Harvey Norman the market leader in electronic and computer retailing is also opening two new stores in Sydney that will co-incide withe the acquisitions. The expanshion by Harvey Norman adding to his existing 160 Harvey Norman stores comes as other major retailers seeking to sell key assets. Coles Myer has put its Myer department store chain on the market for an estimated $500 million, while Solomon Lew appears to be looking for a buyer for his Witchery group.

The introduction of a new Integrated Cargo System at Australian ports has caused havoc with importers and retailers unable to get stock to consumers at a key time of the year for consumer goods imports. Most retailers have a small window before Christmas which is their most important selling period. In another slap in the face to small business, the Australian government stubbornly refused to consider the complaints about inadequate testing of the system and defer its implementation, continuing with the new system despite causing massive delays at ports.
After continued pressure from industry the Federal Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison attended a meeting with stakeholders from across the supply chain. The meeting was advised of potential for significant economic and financial damage and even job losses, and potential claims for compensation for additional costs. The meeting failed to get the Government to reconsider. It is expected to take as much as eight months befor problems with the new Integrated Cargo System at Australian ports can be resolved