Small businesses can now stand up to big business
20 February 2019
SMALL BUSINESS CAN NOW STAND UP TO BIG BUSINESS
MGA welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to allow easier access to justice for small businesses. Jos de Bruin, CEO of Master Grocers Australia said that, “When we were successful in reforming competition laws in 2017 small businesses saw a way forward to saving their businesses with the introduction of the ‘effects test.’ Now, with these further reforms small businesses will have greater opportunity to fight for their rights against larger businesses where the Court believes it is in the public interest to do so.”
Mr de Bruin continued, “Small businesses are inevitably hindered by the formidable costs of litigation and the prospect of facing a massive legal bill is an enormous deterrent, even though there may be a serious issue to defend. Small businesses simply cannot take on the bigger corporations that have deep pockets and who are able to garner financial resources to fund large legal firms as their representatives.
“But it’s always been a typical ‘David and Goliath’ scenario when it came to a small business ‘taking on’ a giant business - until now. We believe that the tide has turned with the introduction of these new laws. All those small businesses that have always felt they were simply wasting their time trying to fight big businesses because they couldn’t afford the high costs can now re-think their approach. The new laws providing access to justice through the courts should make those who have been cautious in the past re-think their position as they now have a greater opportunity to stand up and fight. Small businesses are a major force in our economy. It’s vital that the federal and state governments recognise the importance of small businesses in Australia and respect them as the engine room of the economy. Perhaps the introduction of these new laws is a step closer to achieving that recognition”.
Jos de Bruin
CEO MGA Independent Retailers
Media enquiries:
Jos de Bruin – CEO - MGA Independent Retailers – 0418 312 723
MGA Independent Retailers is a National Registered Employer Industry Association, representing independent grocer, liquor and hardware retailers in all States and Territories. These businesses range in size from small, to medium and large, and make a significant contribution to the retail industry and the communities in which they trade, employing 115,000 people and accounting for more than $15 billion in retail sales
MGA Energy Team
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