NSW Senator Mark Arbib is the new Federal Small Business Minister

Written on the 12 December 2011 by FCA Executive Director

FCA Executive Director's Update

The franchising sector will begin 2012 with a new Federal Minister following today's announcement that Senator Nick Sherry will resign from his post. He will be replaced by NSW Senator Mark Arbib.
Senator Sherry's resignation, for personal reasons, is part of a raft of changes announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard today.

Senator Sherry has been a champion for franchising during his time in Parliament, repeatedly backing the FCA's stance that the Franchising Code of Conduct (Code) should remain consistent throughout the country, and not be changed at a state level.
Senator Sherry told the FCA national convention in Melbourne in October that moves to introduce State-based franchising law in South Australia were 'bizarre' and likely to lead to increased confusion and conflict, resulting in court battles which "could end up in the High Court".

The Code was amended in mid-2010 and the ACCC given new powers applying from the start of the year.  Senator Sherry has said these changes should be allowed time to bed down and that the Government would conduct a review of the regulatory settings in 2013. This position has been supported by the FCA as the most sensible approach.
Opposition Small Business spokesman Bruce Billson has taken a swipe at Senator Arbib, saying that he hoped "Senator Arbib can take the knife he used on Kevin Rudd to slash red tape for small business".

Mr Billson also argued that "Labor has shown that it's all talk and no action when it comes to small business with the portfolio remaining in the outer ministry after the Prime Minister's reshuffle today".
There has been no comment as yet from Senator Arbib.

Regards

Steve