MEDIA ALERT: Small Business: the eyes and ears of our nation

The Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA) has called for small business people across the country to use the natural awareness of their environment to provide support to the government in its security processes. Peter Strong CEO of COSBOA has written an article calling on small business people to report anything they consider suspicious or strange to the relevant authorities.
Mr Strong stated, “Small business people by nature have an enhanced awareness of what is happening in or around them and have always been an important part of the security in our communities. We know that the government agencies involved in national security would like small business people to report anything they consider suspicious – whether it’s the purchase of chemicals that normally wouldn’t occur, odd money transactions or any other behaviour that may be of concern.”
COSBOA and its members know that small business people are represented in every industry and in every community across Australia. We have always kept a watch out for criminals and thieves, for fire traps and dangerous situations and we work with the relevant authorities as necessary to help minimise risk.
Peter Strong said, “The current national security situation is challenging for all of us as we try to understand the dangers and risks. The government agencies do not want us to be alarmed but they do want phone calls to be made if we see something of concerns. We may need to get over a natural reluctance to “dob” someone in or get involved. Make the phone call and then let the authorities deal with the issue professionally.”
Mr Strong further added, ‘I would like to thank the COSBOA directors and members who assisted in putting the article together as well as officials from the Attorney- General’s Department, and I would like to particularly thank Kate Carnell, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and industry for her advice and support. This is a very different issue from what we normally address and the advice and information received was important in getting the message right to send to the 2.1 million small business people in Australia.”
National Security Hotline: 1800 1234 00 or visit: www.nationalsecurity.gov.au