Small Business Champion Update

For those of us in and around Townsville, it was not an ideal start to the year. Townsville feels like my second home these past two months, working out of the Small Business Recovery Centre and onsite with those affected by the floods. I know it is often said that disaster events bring out the best of our collaborative spirit. That is certainly true of the small business recovery centre, an impressive and inclusive collaboration between all three levels of Government, industry groups, the chamber of commerce, not-for-profits and other support services. The result has provided a one-stop-shop for custom help and support in all aspects of business recovery and resilience. Just like the firefighters do for each other when fighting big, exhausting bushfires, my friend the Small Business Commissioner of New South Wales came to Townsville this month with a team of insurance and leasing experts, to lend a hand. Together we hit the streets both in town, and out across six rural communities to meet and connect small business people with vital information and support they needed. Right now the key outstanding priority remains swift access to cash, be it from insurance, from grant funding, or from getting on with business and trading.

Speaking of trading – I’m glad to report I am hearing of many inspiring stories about local customers cramming in to spend money and support businesses as they re-open. We can all do our bit to help, by choosing who and where we buy from. Supporting our local businesses, regardless of where we live, is the best investment we can make in a vibrant, local economy. The Queensland Government’s“Go Local” campaign has placed a timely spotlight on this critical action. It is so important to the long term recovery of all disaster affected communities that we all embrace “Go Local”. And remember, everyone along the supply chain feels the pinch of a natural disaster – not just those directly impacted by flood water or drought.

More broadly in the role of Queensland Small Business Champion I continue to work hard, advocating for practical, common sense gains for small business. This month I met with each of the other state small business commissioners, Kate Carnell, and key federal regulators in Canberra. These forums are the perfect opportunity for me to raise and prioritise the important feedback you keep giving me about the realties you face running your businesses. I am also working on the Queensland Government’s recent response to the seven recommendations put forward by the Better Regulation Taskforce. I will focus my next month’s update on the outcomes of that response and what it means.

Aside from a rocky start for Townsville, 2019 is going to be a great year for Queensland small businesses.

Upcoming events:

  • 15 May – the national small business commissioners forum reconvenes in Sydney
  • 16 May – the inaugural Small Business Friendly Councils Conference hosted by the NSW Small Business Commissioner
  • 22 May – launch of the Sunshine Coast small business wellbeing centre ‘B-Well and Prosper’
  • 27 -30 May – it’s celebration time for small businesses across Queensland with Queensland Small Business Week 2019 - be sure to check the QSBW19 calendar of events and learn something new, grow your network, and join the celebrations (Louise, please share link to QSBW19 calendar of events)


Maree