Small Business Champion update

As Queensland Small Business Champion, I’ve been resolute in my approach in bringing the realities we face as small businesses to the Queensland Government. We need to be top of mind with government and I take my role very seriously in representing the views and needs of Queensland small business. I meet regularly with interstate colleagues, including the small business commissioners of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).

As a unified voice, we have been advocating and influencing greater consideration of small business needs by the Australian Taxation Office, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australian Securities and Investments Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman.
 

I speak regularly with businesses, Chambers of Commerce and industry associations all across Queensland. As well as the south east corner, I have travelled to Cairns, Mount Isa, Mackay and Toowoomba to listen to local small businesses and plan more visits across Queensland in the coming months.

From your feedback, I have found the key issues for small business that I am focused on right now:

1. Transparent access for small business to government spend on products and services.
2. Making it simple for small businesses in the regulatory landscape, with duplication, complexity and inconsistency cited as real concerns.
3. Navigating the diverse array of business support programs and grants available to small business across our three levels of government.
4. Business disruption through major infrastructure projects is an ever-growing and concerning issue and I’m watching this space closely to help minimise the impact.
5. Boosting cashflow management skills and financial capability seems to be a common issue for Queensland small businesses. It’s been pleasing to see increasing awareness of the importance of prompt payment times — around the country this awareness is moving in a positive direction, but as always there is still more to be done.

I believe some of the most important work I do, is represent Queensland small businesses at the national forum of small business commissioners. We meet every two months and I will be hosting this influential forum in Brisbane during November.

Out and about

My role incorporates listening to Queensland’s small business owners and their concerns, so please feel free to approach me at any of these upcoming events.
 

Connect with the Queensland Small Business Champion, Maree Adshead via email at SmallBusiness.Champion@dtesb.qld.gov.au or on Twitter: @SmallBizChampQ.