Small businesses are the eyes and ears of the community, government should use them more

Small business owners are the eyes and ears of the community. Photo: File.

The Australian government recently raised the national terror threat level to ‘probable’, after lowering it in 2022.

Every national security situation is a challenge for all of us as we try to understand the dangers and risks.

In 2015, when security levels were previously raised to ‘probable’, I, in my role as CEO of COSBOA, was approached by security officials to talk to small businesses about what they could do in times of increased security needs.

Government agencies concerned with national security wanted small business owners to report anything they found suspicious.

Small businesses are represented in every sector and every community in Australia – they are vital to our security.

People who work from physical locations, not just in retail and hospitality, but also in offices and workplaces, are more aware of what is happening in and around them. They have always been a vital part of keeping our communities safe.

We are always alert to criminals and thieves, fire hazards, dangerous situations and hidden traps that our employees or customers may be caught in. Where necessary, we work with the relevant authorities to minimise risks.

We will share our concerns with the businesses in the area if anything suspicious or strange has happened, such as a gang of shoplifters setting up shop somewhere (which happens every few years in Canberra as gangs of thieves set up shop there from Sydney).

Many of us may have to overcome a natural reluctance to ‘inform’ the authorities or to get involved. Some would see it as un-Australian.

However, in times of great security risks, it is perfectly normal for people to call and let the authorities solve the problem.

Small entrepreneurs are active in the sectors that deal with chemicals. The most obvious are the warehouse and pump agents and others in the agricultural sector.

Then there are the ubiquitous petrol stations with obvious access to highly flammable products, but there are also chemists, hairdressers, garden centres, DIY stores and the like that sell chemicals.

There are medical professionals and suppliers who have access to medicines and chemicals.

Suppose there is a strange purchase of large or abnormal quantities of chemicals, especially if it is paid for in cash. In that case, a phone call should be made, and the authorities will do what is necessary while the businessmen continue to do their business.

Then there is money laundering: if a significant amount of cash passes through a company, that must also be reported.

Criminals probably know that banks automatically report (or should report) large cash transactions and other suspicious activity, so criminals can try to launder their money through small businesses.

As an example of what can be reported, let’s take the terrible events of 9/11 in New York, with the destruction of the Twin Towers.

The terrorists had received flight training, but did not want lessons on take-off and landing.

The companies involved found this strange, but it was not responded to with the required urgency.

This is also a very different topic than what small business policies and communications typically focus on.

The major trade associations know how to communicate with their members, without alarming them, but by reinforcing their behaviours and values ​​and ensuring that members remain alert and connected.

It is striking that the current federal government has not asked for assistance from small business associations.

In that sense, we are all connected at the community level, not through a federal Treasury office.

The message to the Treasury and the security services is: if you want small businesses to report suspicious activity, you need to cut out some unnecessarily complicated compliance measures so we can focus on the important stuff.

Compliance and regulations are part of life, but first and foremost they should be simple and necessary.

In 2015 there were also comments about the possible ‘profiling’ that could take place.

Some were convinced that any strange but innocent person would be targeted for prosecution and reporting, with all the consequences that entailed.

Small business owners are part of their community; we know all the so-called strangers in and around us.

Usually these are the unfortunate ones: homeless people, people who talk to themselves, and so on.

The local police also know these people. They are not reported.

The focus is primarily on new customers who do not fit into the industry, who buy in large quantities or who behave in a way that the business owner – and employees – know is not right.

Call the National Security Line (1800 1234 00) and leave the rest to the experts.

Peter Strong was an entrepreneur in Canberra for 11 years and CEO of the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA). He has announced his candidacy as an independent for the 2024 ACT election.