A support service and telephone hotline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses during COVID-19 has been developed by Advance Queensland, the partnership involving Government Departments, universities and the private sector.
Minister for Innovation, Kate Jones said Open for Business was a key element of the State’s Deadly Innovation Strategy to provide support to Indigenous businesses.
“We want to make sure that as many businesses as possible make it through this crisis and are able to continue employing Queenslanders,” Ms Jones said.
“This program is designed to support Indigenous businesses navigating through the economic challenges posed during the Coronavirus pandemic.”
She said that with many Indigenous businesses located in regional areas, many had only limited access to digital infrastructure and relied on telephone communication for connection to the outside world — particularly while communities were closed to visitors.
“The specialised hotline will be a vital connection for these businesses to seek advice that’s relatable to their culture and community,” the Minister said.
“Open for Business will provide advice to the Queensland Indigenous business community through a telephone hotline, online town hall meetings, social media networks, email, and radio communications.”
Aboriginal business owner, Shane Kennelly said that support provided through the service would encourage businesses to maximise the opportunities that were available.
“In times of crisis, it’s good to have a source you can trust and I know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business owners will appreciate the opportunity to yarn with people in their community,” Mr Kennelly said.
