Justice for Farmers - One Step Closer

Local Farmers are backing the State Government’s Small Business Commissioner Bill and are incensed at the Liberal Party’s opposition to it, according to State Labor Member, Mr Tony Piccolo.

The Bill passed the through the House of Assembly this week despite being opposed by the Liberal Party.

Mr Piccolo said that with their decision to oppose this bill, the Liberal Party has sacrificed the soul of small business on the altar of self-interest.

During his Second Reading speech Mr Piccolo said, “How can we have a fairer playing field without an umpire?”

“The Liberals can run from this issue but there will be nowhere for them to hide when people in the farming sector understand what they are doing in here, despite the rhetoric out there.”

“The Liberals have sold out. They have caved in to big business. They are denying small business justice.”

“Why would the Liberals back the predators? Why would the Liberals deny the farmers an opportunity to have their farm machinery warranty issues addressed, as the SAFF has recommended?”

“Why would the Liberals deny farmers an opportunity to have their disputes with grain handling addressed, like this report that came out today said?”

The Bill provides for the creation of a Small Business Commissioner, as well as a legislative framework for prescribing Mandatory Codes of Conduct under the South Australian Fair Trading Act.

“In opposing this Bill the Liberal Party are denying farmers the opportunity to obtain justice when fighting big business like machinery manufacturers and grain handling companies,” Mr Piccolo said.

Mr Piccolo said there are more than 136,000 small business operators in South Australia and every single one is vitally important to South Australia,” he said.

“Once again South Australia will lead the country in providing support for our small business sector.”

The Bill has been endorsed by numerous industry groups including the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia, Independent Contractor’s Australia, The South Australian Farmers Federation, The Business Development Council and Business SA

Mr Piccolo said the Bill also provides for civil monetary penalties for breaches of prescribed codes of conduct under the Fair Trading Act and for civil expiation penalties (i.e. an infringement notices or "on the spot fines").

 Once the Bill is enacted in South Australia, the Minister will have the ability to prescribe mandatory codes of conduct under the Fair Trading Act which could include a statutory duty of good faith as well as other standards of conduct in franchising as well as other sectors such as farming and retail leasing.

“Once passed the Bill will provide Mum and Dad business owners with a quick and fair process to protect themselves from predatory behaviour from other businesses,” Mr Piccolo stated.

The Bill has moved to the Legislative Council for debate.