That the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and
Financial Services be required to inquire into and report on the access for
small and medium business to finance, and report by 30 April 2011, with
particular reference to:
(1) the types of finance and credit options available to
small and medium business (SMEs) in Australia;
(2) the current levels of choice and competition between
lending institutions, but not limited to, credit availability, fees, charges,
comparative interest rates and conditions for business finance;
(3) credit options available from banks, non-bank lenders
and second tier lenders;
(4) the impact of financial institution prudential
requirements and banking guarantees on lending costs and practices;
(5) comparison between the credit options available to SMEs
located in regional Australia and metropolitan areas;
(6) the impact of lenders’ equity and security requirements
on the amount of finance available to SMEs;
(7) policies, practices and strategies that may restrict
access to SME finance, and the possible effects this may have on innovation,
productivity, growth and job creation;
(8) the need for any legislative or regulatory change to
assist access by SME to finance; and
(9) any other related matters.