Q&A is a popular TV show
and often handles the meaty social issues. A recent edition of the program
looked at unemployment and included a statement from a panelist that has
gained much media coverage.
News Columnist Grace Collier
said “Nobody has an entitlement to a job. Society doesn’t owe you a job. The Government
can’t get you a job.” “In reality there is only one person in this world who
can guarantee a happy future for you, and that person stares at you in the
mirror every morning.” She was talking about starting your own business.
Greens leader Richard Di
Natale, ACTU President Ged Kearney, Labour MP Tim Watts, Economist Judith
Sloan, and Public Affairs executive director John Roskham were the other panelists
and you can imagine that there was a significant backlash to Grace’s comments.
In the debate that has
followed the program there seems to be consensus that those wishing to start
their own business need much more support in areas like finance and staff
recruitment. Essentially it needs to be made much easier for people to set up
their own business.
And of course The Queen Vic
Market has a very important role to play assisting new businesses to bring their
products to consumers.