The Tasmanian Government is “easily” the most popular in the nation among SMBs, according to the Sensis Business Index. Overall confidence was up in Tasmania and remains above the national average.

The index reflects the views of 1,000 small and medium businesses from across Australia.

Business confidence across the nation has jumped to sit at the equal highest level since March 2010. The net balance of +46 is calculated by comparing the number of confident SMBs (61%) to those who are worried (15%). 

The popularity of the Tasmanian government contrasts to the that of the Federal Government, with the percentage of businesses saying federal policies are supportive falling from 22% to 18%. Those saying policies work against small business also fell (16% to 15%). As a result, the net balance was down three points to +3. 

“SMBs unimpressed with the Federal Government’s policies cited too much bureaucracy, too much of a focus on ‘big business’ and high taxation. Of those with a favourable assessment, the Federal Government was seen as supportive and interested in small businesses, making efforts to reduce tax, and offering tax incentives,” said Sensis CEO, John Allan. 

At a state and territory government level, the Tasmanian Government returned to top spot with a seven point rise to a net balance of +16. 

“The employment and training schemes being offered to SMBs were a key reason for the more positive disposition towards the Tasmanian and South Australian Governments this quarter,” said Mr Allan.   

Minister Roger Jaensch recently hosted a 2 day Small Business Roadshow with Federal Minister Michael McCormack which he said was “well attended” by local businesses. MP Jaensch said “Small businesses are incredibly important to the Tasmanian economy and a series of forums on the North-West Coast has put them in touch with government, decision-makers and other experts to make it easier for them to do business well” 

“The Hodgman Liberal Government is a strong supporter of Tasmania’s 36,000 small businesses, in fact we were named “Australia’s most popular government” in the 2017 Sensis Business Index.

“We have a target to increase the number of small businesses by 10 per cent by 2022 which would see another 10,000 Tasmanians employed in this sector, many in regional Tasmania.

“We have made massive in-roads into reducing red tape that slows down small business, and we have a target of an 85 per cent clean-up of reported red tape by 2022.

“Small businesses are also winning more Government contracts (81 per cent in the past year) and our target is to lift that to 90 per cent by 2022.”