Nick Sherry stands down as Small Business Minister, Mark Arbib to succeed

He will be replaced by Mark Arbib, who will also serve as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Sport.

Arbib's appointment is part of a broader Cabinet reshuffle announced this afternoon which also saw Bill Shorten take on industrial relations and employment, in addition to superannuation and financial services.

Sherry told a press conference this morning the decision was driven by a desire to spend more time with his three children.

"This was my decision, I did not consult with anyone in the Labor Party but I did consult with some close friends," the Tasmanian Senator said.

"I've just turned 56 and you do think about these issues a little more when you get a touch older."

Sherry said he had been on the front bench for a long time.

"I am fit and energetic, I enjoy being a minister but when I considered the interrelated factors I came to the conclusion it was time."

He said it had been a "tough year" but he believed the Labor Party could win the next election.

"I've been around a long time; I've seen a lot of good polls and I've seen a lot of bad polls," Sherry said.

Sherry was well-regarded in his previous portfolio of assistant treasurer, where his deep knowledge of superannuation was much respected.

He took over the small business role, which is not in Cabinet, from Craig Emerson at the last election in November 2010.

Sherry attracted flak midway through the year by tipping that bookstores would die out beyond specialist booksellers in capital cities.

Shadow Small Business Minister Bruce Billson said the Government had "missed an opportunity to give small business a voice at the cabinet table."

“Small business needs action now but I’m not sure Senator Arbib can achieve it from the outer ministry,” Billson said.

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written by attitudejv@bigpond.com, December 12, 2011

I suppose it would too much to ask that the next Minister for Small Business actually have some relevant experience in business - and being a member of a trade union whose aim seems to be to destroy small business - would not constitute relevant experience

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written by Ray Borradale, December 12, 2011

The Labor government has now given us 2 Ministers who did absolutley nothing for small business. That was not an accident.

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written by lazarust, December 12, 2011

It is too much to ask under this government, not a single one of them has a schmick of business experience. Barely any of them have any real life experience. It's no small wonder the mess we are in.

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written by rgarven, December 12, 2011

Maybe Nick has seen the writing on the wall prior to the next election. A complete joke of a minister for small business and it looks like Julia is rewarding those faceless men who helped her into the top job. Can we please have an early election so we can put them all out of a job.

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written by SEO Strategies, December 12, 2011

One worthless air thief stands aside. Another worthless air thief takes their place. It would be funny - if it was actually a joke.

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written by SEO Strategies, December 12, 2011

Arbib's extensive experience as a metal trades assistant, beach inspector, restaurant cook and trade union official - not to mention his "work" as an air thieving politician - clearly qualify this useless piece of human garbage as small business minister and assistant treasurer - right? Regrettably, with the current pack of rabble that Australian's are forced to call a government, he's probably the best of all the very bad alternatives available.