Government agrees to launch Prime Minister’s Small Business awards to celebrate local heroes

MARK Bouris is excited — he’s just given the Government a kick up the arse on behalf of Aussie battlers everywhere.

IT’S GOING to bloody happen.

Small business is going get the recognition and acknowledgment it deserves as the engine room of our nation from the man who leads the nation.

I’ve got a commitment from the Government to set up the Prime Minister’s Small Business awards. Australia could become a model for small business for the G20, the OECD, all over the world. To be known as the country that truly fosters and nurtures small business.

I had Small Business Minister Bruce Billson on my podcast today. Following on from the Budget, he shared with us his vision to support and celebrate small business and encourage young people to see a future in running their own business.

I quizzed him on his personal experience in business, his fears and struggles in running a fine art and craft store with his wife Kate on the Mornington Peninsula and the money concerns that kept him awake at night.

Running your own business is not just about making money; it’s the pride of being a small-business owner. We put our small business owners down by default, because we don’t acknowledge them. Well that’s about to change.

Recently I was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. I am very humbled and proud to be honoured by the Governor-General. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I would willingly give up that medal, when we get the Prime Minister’s Medal movement off the ground.

We could do it on Australia Day, or the Queen’s Birthday. Let’s have a day to celebrate small business owners and lets make it a proud day. Let’s televise it; let’s make a big deal about it.

Imagine this: a small-business owner in Frankston Victoria, in a strip of shops, been there for 40 years, struggles, struggles, struggles but has managed to keep his doors open.

He receives a lifetime award from the Prime Minister, which recognises his achievements for our economic community. Now it’s fantastic that some big corporates are recognising small business, but these awards will take it to the next level.

It’s time, not just to throw a few tax incentives around for business owners, it way past the time to elevate business owners into the dais they belong on.

They are Australian economic heroes and deserve every ounce of acknowledgment, accolades and encouragement we and the government can throw their way.

On next week’s podcast I’m going to start playing some of the videos you’ve sent in as part of my Fair Go campaign. So if you’ve emailed or tweeted, get organised, get your video together and upload it to YouTube.

Mark Bouris has just launched a podcast, and is inviting anyone with a business idea to join him for advice and support. Email [e-mail] or on follow Mark on Twitter @markbouris