2 million self-employed
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Ken Phillips (ICA) and Peter Strong (COSBOA) debate "The Future (or Death) of Employment". Vids are here.
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Ken Phillips on the debt equation

Federal ALP Self-Employed Policy: Overview

September 2010

Historically, Labor Party policy towards self-employed people has been somewhat antagonistic and negative. However, this changed in 2006-7 when there was a genuine attempt to engage with self-employed people on the policy issues. The Federal ALP supplied Independent Contractors Australia with a series of positive policy commitments and undertakings.

During the period of the Rudd ALP government (late 2007 to mid-2010) each of these commitments was adhered to. The Minister, Craig Emerson, implemented a range of quality initiatives and we thanked him for this.

However, during late 2009, things began to change, but not in Minister Emerson's portfolio area. The government began moves that seemed to flag an intention to change basic tax rules affecting self-employed people. This created significant uncertainty and unease.

Come the August 2010 election, on a number of fronts, the assessment of the Gillard Government's approach and intentions toward self-employed people became difficult to gauge. The clarity that existed in 2007 had faded.