By Rowan Holzberger
THE other day in Beenleigh, I sat down with Anne Nalder from the Small Business Association of Australia to talk about something that too often gets lip service in politics: how to actually help small businesses.
Now, I’m not just speaking from a politician’s talking points.
I’ve been in the trenches.
In my 20s, I ran a contract mustering business out in outback NSW. Sheep, cattle, dust, diesel.
It teaches you a thing or two.
Later, I ran a construction company right here in Beenleigh.
Anyone who’s run a small business knows it’s not easy.
It’s long hours, tight margins, high risk.
But the payoff? You’re building something real.
I’ve never met a small business owner who didn’t care deeply about what they do. They’re in it because they’re passionate about what they’re doing.
Next week, treasurer Jim Chalmers is hosting a roundtable on the future of the Australian economy.
He’s looking at three big themes: economic resilience, productivity, and budget sustainability.
Economic resilience? Covid exposed just how fragile global supply chains really are.
We need local capability – and that starts with local business.
Productivity? It’s the only long-term path to higher wages and better living standards.
And budget sustainability? Supporting communities must be balanced with protecting Australia’s national budget.
That’s why meetings like the one with Anne today matter.
They feed the reality on the ground into the high-level policy talk.
Because here’s a fact: you can’t build a strong national economy without strong local businesses. They’re not a side note – they’re the backbone.
If we get that right – back our local businesses, clear the way for them to grow, and give them a fair go – the rest takes care of itself.
I’ve run small businesses, so I know the pressures firsthand.
But I’m always up for hearing from others.
You don’t learn anything with your door shut.
