DATA ON JOB LOSSES IN EARLY 2020 AN OMINOUS SIGN FOR AUSTRALIAN TOURISM   Data that shows almost 22,000 jobs were shed in Australia’s tourism industry in the March quarter compared to the previous year is a stark warning on the scale of destruction facing the sector in 2020, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) said today. Analysis by the Australian Bureau of Statistics released today captures the impact of the December 2019 and January 2020 bushfires, and the beginning of international travel restrictions and lockdowns associated with COVID-19. The number of filled tourism jobs in Australia fell by 21,900 from March 2019 to March 2020 while the whole economy added 243,900 jobs in that time. COSBOA chief executive Peter Strong said the job losses showed the Australian tourism sector was already under enormous pressure at the start of 2020 and Australians should urgently consider how they can....

REVENUE DECLINES AND FALLS IN HOUSING APPROVALS SHOW BUSINESSES UNDER CONTINUING PRESSURE   Economic data released today shows the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put pressure on small businesses through revenue declines and an ongoing downturn in housing construction, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) said. Almost half of all businesses (47 per cent) reported declines in revenue last month in a survey published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Separately, housing construction approvals fell to an eight-year low, according to ABS data. COSBOA chief executive Peter Strong said, “This data from the ABS shows the magnitude of the impact that this pandemic is having on small businesses. “The revenue impacts are widespread across industries. It’s a reminder that hundreds of thousands of businesses are in a deep hole, and there’s a long way to go in this recovery. “That’s why it’s important for Australians to support small businesses....

Backing small business will ensure ongoing support for surf clubs around Australia – COSBOA    Supporting small businesses by choosing to shop with them in-store or online can contribute to iconic community activities such as Surf Life Saving Clubs, The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) said today. Small businesses are an important source of funding for Australia’s community sporting organisations, and with many of them doing tough because of the Covid19 pandemic, their local surf and other sports clubs could be facing funding pressure. COSBOA chief executive Peter Strong said: “If we don’t support small businesses right now, what we will lose is our community and the essence of what we value locally.” Mr Strong said without the sponsorship of small businesses, many local sporting groups and surf lifesaving clubs would miss out on important financial support. “Sports and the beach are a huge part of our weekends....

COSBOA welcomes increase in retail spending but warns local businesses still face huge uncertainty    The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) today welcomed data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing a further rise in retail spending in June, but said the outlook for hundreds of thousands of small businesses across Australia remained highly uncertain. Preliminary data on retail trade for June from the ABS data showed a 2.4% rise in overall retail spending from levels in May. The removal of lockdown restrictions in many parts of the country during June was reflected in a rise of more than 20% in spending at cafes, restaurants, and takeaway food services. However, spending at cafés, restaurants and takeaways remained 17% below the levels of June 2019, highlighting the scale of the shock to café and restaurant businesses from the Covid19 pandemic. COSBOA chief executive Peter Strong said the coming reduction....

Morrison Government’s loans for small business a welcome measure, and customers can play their part too – COSBOA  The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) says the Morrison government’s backing for loans of up to $1 million for small businesses is a welcome initiative that will help companies bounce back from the COVID-19 recession. COSBOA chief executive Peter Strong said the federal government’s refreshed small business lending scheme highlighted the enormous pressures facing the sector and would be a welcome support for those businesses positioned to grow in the economic recovery. Mr Strong said: “This scheme is particularly welcome for manufacturing businesses and those who have the capacity to grow. “These businesses can get access to more money without having to put major assets up as collateral. And they can get access to the funding for a longer period.” Mr Strong added that loans were only one side of....

COSBOA says Australians can take direct action to keep people in jobs by GOING LOCAL FIRST Unemployment rate ‘deeply concerning’ but jobs can be saved if Australians support small business. Australians will be able to directly support keeping people in work by choosing to buy from small businesses in their area, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) chief executive Peter Strong said, following the release of Australian Bureau of Statistics data today that showed the unemployment rate hit 7.4% in June. “The job losses that hit the headlines are from big companies. But small businesses are doing it extremely tough too, and they account for one-third of the economy,” Mr Strong said. “The unemployment rate is deeply concerning. But we can take action to support the recovery. “If you GO LOCAL FIRST and support small business, you will be directly contributing to saving jobs at the local stores and....

Building activity increase welcomed by COSBOA Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing a small rise in residential building activity at the start of this year has been welcomed by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA). COSBOA chief executive Peter Strong warned, however, that the figures showed housing construction remained weak at the start of this year before the full impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns hit, and urged Australians to find ways to support local tradies. The ABS data on building activity for the March quarter, released on Wednesday, showed just over 43,000 dwelling units were commenced (on a trend basis) in the three months to March, a 1.2 per cent rise on the previous quarter. This was, however, more than 6 per cent below the levels of the same period last year – a significant slowdown. Mr Strong said the continuing challenges for the nation’s construction industry meant....

Dire data on tourist arrivals shows why Australians need to GO LOCAL FIRST Official data released today showing the ongoing collapse in visitor arrivals to Australia highlights the challenges for small businesses that serve tourists, Council of Small Businesses Organisations Australia (COSBOA) chief executive Peter Strong said today. “All Australians can help out these businesses by choosing to shop with local providers, both online and in-store,” Mr Strong said. COSBOA launched its nationwide “GO LOCAL FIRST” campaign, with the support of the federal government, urging Australians to shop locally whenever they can to support the small businesses in their communities. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released today showed overseas visitor arrivals in May were 99.5% lower than they were the previous year. Only 3,440 short-term trips into Australia were recorded in May 2020. This compares with nearly 670,000 in May 2019. There were only 100 visitors recorded arriving....

Australians are being urged to buy from small businesses in their local communities in a nationwide campaign launched today in Canberra by the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash.

Small businesses are the backbone of the Australian Economy. They are generous in giving back to their communities through job creations and through support for local projects and sports teams.