Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) recently participated in a policy forum alongside representatives from several other small business associations, chaired by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprises Ombudsman (ASBFEO).
R&CA CEO Juliana Payne welcomed the initiative, saying that the forum represents a valuable opportunity for organisations representing small businesses to identify mutual areas of concern and opportunities for further collaboration between their respective sectors.
“R&CA is committed to working alongside its industry partners to deliver the best outcomes on behalf of over 40,000 cafés, restaurants and catering companies throughout Australia,” says Payne.
“We know that over 92 per cent of Australia’s café, restaurant and catering businesses are small businesses employing 19 people or less.
“Undoubtedly, the issues affecting small businesses across Australia are multifaceted and R&CA recognises the degree of cross-over between different sectors on certain issues and the opportunity that exists for collaboration.
“Key issues affecting the hospitality industry, including human capital and skill shortages, workplace relations simplification and the cost of energy prices, are all areas easily transferable to other small businesses in different sectors and working collaboratively with other associations in each of these areas makes perfect sense.
“We look forward to continuing our engagement with the ASBFEO’s policy forum and participating in several working groups on issues of concern for the hospitality sector.”
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