Under changes announced today, federal government departments will be required to consider the impact on small business of any policy proposals.
Small Business Minister Ian Macfarlane says the changes are an important way of ensuring the interests of small business are given due weight in government decision-making.
"These changes mean that Cabinet submissions need to flag the potential impact on small business of changes in government policy," he says.
"The Howard government has always been mindful of small business issues, but until now that has not always been done overtly at a departmental level.
"It is now a requirement that any proposals that have an impact on small business be looked at by the Office of Small Business."
Under the new arrangements, the Office will work with the Cabinet Secretariat to amend Cabinet guidelines to require all departments preparing Cabinet submissions to specifically indicate whether there would be implications for small business.
Departments will also be encouraged under revised Cabinet guidelines to involve the Office of Small Business at an early stage in the development of submissions where a small-business impact is identified.
Additional government announcements today for small business include: