Teals push for change to small business definition

Sabra Lane: A federal election's due within the next six months and independent MPs say red tape should be slashed for smaller size businesses. Allegra Spender: We've asked the government to increase the threshold for small businesses in the Fair Work Act from 15 to at least 25 employees to make it easier for small businesses to work and employ people in what are pretty tough economic times. Evelyn Manfield: Allegra Spender is the member for Wentworth in Sydney and one of eight teal independent MPs who've written to Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt. Evelyn Manfield: In northern New South Wales, Victoria Beattie runs a small online retailer selling beach towels and beach bags and is on board the proposal. Evelyn Manfield: Proponents say a change in the definition of small business would capture tens of thousands of employers and in practice would mean delaying the start of right to disconnect laws and winding back unfair dismissal rights.