Matthew Addison’s five-year tenure as chairman of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) concluded at the organisation’s annual general meeting in Canberra on Wednesday, marking the end of a period marked by several contentious decisions that have drawn criticism from members.

Addison’s leadership has been overshadowed by three principal missteps that left many small business owners questioning the value of their membership fees. The most recent controversy involved the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) decision to cease accepting credit card payments for tax debts starting in December. This move sparked notable concern among small businesses, which COSBOA is tasked with representing. However, the organisation’s response was subdued, limited to a cautious press release that expressed some concern but characterised the issue as affecting only a "relatively small number of small businesses."

This muted stance surprised some political observers, including members of the Coalition government. One Liberal senator remarked that COSBOA appeared to have "gone to ground" on the issue during the year. Opposition figures also voiced frustration at what they perceived as a lack of clear leadership from COSBOA. Subsequently, the organisation realigned with more vocal critics such as the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), joining their opposition to the ATO’s credit card payment ban. The government's decision on the delay of the ban by six months came after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese received a text message from ACCI chief Andrew McKellar, an intervention that was noted during political discourse.

Aside from the ATO matter, Addison faced criticism over his handling of other significant issues. In 2022, he reached an agreement with ACTU Secretary Sally McManus on multi-employer bargaining, a move that reportedly blindsided COSBOA members and led to a swift backtrack. Additionally, last year’s response to the Productivity Commission’s proposed company tax reforms involved a notable reversal that frustrated stakeholders.

Despite these controversies, COSBOA maintained some political engagement, securing a keynote speech from Small Business Minister Anne Aly at its annual dinner on Wednesday evening in Canberra’s Hotel Kurrajong. This appearance followed Aly’s earlier absence from the group’s high-cost annual event, which charges $1,595 per attendee.

The organisation’s board saw significant changes during the AGM. Newly elected members include Fiona Beamish (Australian Hairdressing Council), David Buhshy (Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers Association), Anja Pannek (Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia), and Martin Stirling (Master Grocers Australia). Ben Kearney of the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association rejoined the board after a break, while incumbents such as pharmacist Andrew Neegow, Ann Davey (Massey & Moytehray Australia), Denita Wawn (Master Builders Australia), and Simon Foster (Xero) were re-elected. Meanwhile, former Master Grocers Australia CEO Jos de Bruin and Wes Lambert from the Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association were not returned to the board.

Following the meeting, reports indicated that the departure of two directors delayed the immediate appointment of Addison’s successor as chair. The organisation now faces the task of rebuilding trust with its membership amid concerns over its effectiveness and leadership.