Small businesses in Australia are under extraordinary pressure right now, from rising costs in energy, rent and insurance, through to cyber attacks and grappling with complex changes to industrial relations.

And those that are dependent on household discretionary spending are doing it even tougher, with food and beverage business closure rates at a record high, according to CreditorWatch.

Sean Aylmer speaks to Luke Achterstraat, Chief Executive of COSBOA, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, about what the small business sector needs from this federal election to ease the pressure on operators, and help SMEs to thrive.