Jul 14, 2021 | 0 comments

Media release

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development

The Honorable Di Farmer

 

 

The Palaszczuk Government is calling for business owners and entrepreneurs to help deliver the Big Plans for Small Business Strategy by joining the reinvigorated Queensland Small Business Advisory Council (QSBAC).

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer encouraged people running businesses in Queensland to submit an expression of interest by 5pm Tuesday 27 July 2021.

“Small businesses employ more than one million Queenslanders in our state: they’re our friends, our neighbours, and the lifeblood of our communities.

“That’s why we put backing small business at the heart of our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, underpinned by $14.2 billion of investment.

“And that’s why I travelled across Queensland earlier this year and spoke to thousands of businesses as part of our Small Business Roadshow.

“We took the clear and unambiguous feedback given on that roadshow to develop our Big Plans for Small Business Strategy. Now we want small businesses to sit on the QSBAC, to be our eyes and ears on the ground to ensure that Strategy is being delivered effectively.

“We already have regular contact with industry associations and peak bodies, but what we are looking for here is individual small businesses owners to sit on this council and speak directly to myself as the Minister about how the Strategy delivery is going. In this fast-changing environment we want to hear about the opportunities and challenges as and when they present themselves.

“We want to create a well-informed, dynamic and energetic QSBAC that is current and responsive.”

Minister Farmer said the Big Plans for Small Business Strategy was already delivering.

“The Strategy includes a $100 million Business Investment Fund, $30 million in grants to increase skills and capability, and will make the Queensland Small Business Commissioner a permanent position,” Minister Farmer said.

“We’ve also exceeded our SME government procurement of 25 per cent, hitting 28.5 per cent in the second half of 2020. That’s a $2.67 billion spend with Queensland small and medium businesses.

“Revitalising the membership of QSBAC is an important element of how we will work closely with small businesses to ensure they’re at the heart of what we’re doing.

“Receiving robust advice from people with varied on the ground experience will be vital, including women, young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

“So, if you are a small businesses owner and want to be involved in making sure the Big Plans for Small Business Strategy makes the biggest possible impact on the ground, then get your EOI in before 5pm on July 27.”

The council is expected to meet four times a year in person or online, including in regional Queensland.

To submit an Expression of Interest to join the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council visit www.advisoryboardcentre.com/qsbadvisorycouncil.

For further information visit www.business.qld.gov.au or call 1300 654 687.  

Media contact: Kate Talbot 07 4124 2526