Plans To Strengthen And Support Small Businesses

MPAQ was represented at the Small and Family Business First Action Statement event by Penny Cornah. The announcement was delivered by the Hon Steve Minnikin MP, Minister for Customer Service, Open Data and Small and Family Business. The Action Statement sets out the Queensland Government’s immediate priorities and the steps they are taking to put small and family businesses at the forefront.

It was encouraging to hear a clear and strong commitment to supporting the backbone of Queensland’s economy, small and family businesses. As of 30 June 2024, there are more than 495,000 small businesses in Queensland, representing 97.1% of all businesses in the state. Notably, construction sits at the top of the five largest small business sectors, accounting for 16.7%.

Key Government Commitments and Actions

The government’s commitments span several key focus areas designed to strengthen and support the small business sector:

Improved Access to Government Services

• Deliver a new dedicated $10 million Small Business Concierge service to support small and family business owners to navigate pathways to support. Staff located in regions across Queensland will provide referrals to services and answer questions related to government support and services.
• Deliver the $16 million Regional Business Gateways program.
• Establish a Small Business Reference Group to connect the Minister to the perspectives of small and family business owners to inform practical responses to issues.
• Introduce a Small Business Survey to measure the confidence of small and family businesses in Queensland and identify pain points to best tailor government support and programs.
• Deliver Small Business Month in May each year to provide a program of events and activities with grants, workshops, clinics and more to connect small businesses to information and networks and celebrate success.
• Improve the quality and usefulness of information available through targeted and structured communication that meets the unique needs of small and family businesses.
• Continue to improve the information on the range of services and programs that are available to support small and family business on Business Queensland

Tailored Support to Help Small Businesses Start, Grow, and Thrive

• Implement the $40 million Secure Communities Partnership Program.
• Deliver a $19 million Apprenticeship Pilot Program to support small and family businesses to take on apprentices.
• Invest $11.5 million to deliver priority small business micro-credentials courses.
• Deliver the $8.8 million Construction Business Advancement Grants program.
• Deliver the $5 million Professional Care Advancement Grants program.
• Deliver Small Business grants to provide funding assistance for business development activities for Queensland small business in different stages of their lifecycle.
• Deliver the Mentoring for Growth (M4G) program to provide eligible businesses free access to volunteer business experts.
• Support tailored cyber security programs to inform and assist small and family businesses in protecting themselves from threats.
• Raise awareness of government programs available to support the growth of small and family business (e.g. existing Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business programs, Trade and Investment Queensland export programs and investment programs delivered by Queensland Investment Corporation).
• Tailor programs and supports to meet and encourage the diversity of the small and family business sector.

Cutting Red Tape and Addressing Pain Points

• Refocusing the Queensland Small Business Commissioner on red tape and dispute resolution.
• Introducing a five-business-day ‘On Time, Every Time’ Payment Guarantee for small businesses, plus immediate payments on invoices under $10,000.
• Collaborating across government to streamline compliance processes.
• Advocating for insurance affordability and access.
• Enhancing tools like the Business Launchpad and working with councils to reduce local project barriers.
• Supporting sector-specific strategies, such as Primary Industries Prosper 2050 and Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future.

Boosting Procurement Opportunities

• Simplifying procurement processes, standardising contracts, and creating more tendering opportunities.
• Launching a $1 million Small and Family Business Innovation Pathway.
• Providing small businesses with improved tendering guides, simpler insurance requirements, and better debriefing opportunities after unsuccessful tenders.
• Engaging with larger businesses to encourage faster payment terms and small business-friendly practices.
• Supporting capability-building workshops and preparing small businesses for opportunities linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Reviewing the Queensland Procurement Policy to ensure stronger focus on local suppliers, small businesses, and regional enterprises.

MPAQ will be reviewing the details closely and looks forward to working with the government to further support our small business members across the state. For more information, please visit Business Queensland.