Business owners are desperate for budget relief

Australia’s 2.3 million small business are calling for relief from cost-of-living pressures, in Tuesday’s federal budget

Many owner-operators including Mr Xu say even if they could find workers, lower income means they’re unable to pay extra wages – so they are stepping in to fill the gaps.

However, with world markets on an increasingly perilous path and government spending under review Dean Xu can only hope his pleas are heard in Canberra.