The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training has announced that the Queensland Small Businesses Commissioner is to become a permanent position with an expanded role.
Minister for Employment and Small Business, Di Farmer said the Small Business Commissioner Bill had now passed the Parliament.
“The legislation adds to the functions the temporary Commissioner has been delivering as part of the Government’s COVID-19 economic response,” Ms Farmer said.
“Under the Big Plans for Small Business Strategy, the Government has committed $140 million over two years to help the State’s small businesses grow and thrive,” she said.
Ms Farmer said that, since May 2020, the Office of the Small Business Commissioner had performed fantastic work to support small businesses with dispute resolution services for COVID-19, lease disputes and small business tenancy disputes.
“It has also provided a trusted source of information for small businesses and a pipeline for their feedback back to Government,” she said.
“The permanent Commissioner will continue this important work in providing dispute resolution and low-cost mediation services for retail shop lease disputes under the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994; other small business lease disputes; and small business franchise disputes, saving businesses time and money.”
The Minister said importantly that the Commissioner would provide small business with an easy-to-access, central point of contact in Government, making it easier for small business to access support, information and advice.
“The new legislation will take effect on 3 May and will mean Queensland small businesses have a strong advocate to work with all levels of Government, and engage with Commissioners from other States, to share successes and tackle challenges collaboratively,” Ms Farmer said.
