Advocay
We advocate across all levels of government, ensuring that the challenges and opportunities of small and family businesses across Queensland are heard and considered. Be part of our community and let’s champion your interests together!
Partnerships
National Small Business Commissioners’ forum
The Commissioner collaborates as part of the National Small Business Commissioners’ (NSBC) forum. Participants include the small business commissioners of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia together with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).
Officers from the QSBC also regularly collaborate with officers from ASBFEO and interstate Commissioners’ offices via a National Strategy Group, which focuses on national small business policy and advocacy matters, and a National Assistance Group, which focuses on continuously improving assistance and dispute outcomes.
Office of Productivity and Red Tape Reduction
The QSBC collaborates with the Office of Productivity and Red Tape Reduction (OPRTR) on red tape reduction activities. The QSBC regularly provides feedback from small businesses and stakeholders to OPRTR about regulatory barriers and the compliance burden. The QSBC also participates in Queensland Government regulatory reviews led by OPRTR.
Committees
The Commissioner (or nominated proxy from the QSBC) participates on a range of committees to advocate for Queensland small and family business interests.
Current committees
- Small Business Industry Roundtable (chair), March 2017 – present
- Small Business Regional Roundtable (chair), October 2023 – present
- Small Business Landlords Roundtable (chair), September 2023 – present
- Australian Taxation Office Small Business Stewardship Group (observer), May 2020 – present
- Council of Small Business Organisations Australia’s Member and Stakeholder Roundtable (participant), February 2022 – present
- Department of Small Business, Employment and Training, Small Business Wellness Package Working Group (member), July 2022 – present
- Federal Regulatory Advisory Group and National Small Business Commissioners combined forum (member), March 2017 – present
- General Goods and Services Industry Reference Group (member), January 2018 – present
- National Assistance Group (member) – July 2021 – present
- National Small Business Commissioners Forum (member), March 2017 – present
- National Strategy Group (member) – July 2021 – present
- Procurement Industry Advisory Group (member), March 2017 – present
- Queensland Small Business Advisory Council (ex-officio member), May 2022 – present
- Small Business and Franchising Consultative Committee (observer), March 2017 – present
Previous committees
- North Queensland Small Business Recovery Advisory Council (member), November 2019 – December 2023
- Better Regulation Taskforce, February 2017 – December 2020
- Summertime Taskforce Industry Reference Group (chair), September – December 2021
- Business Registry Strategic Advisory Council (member), July 2021 – December 2023
- Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland Advisory Council (member), May – December 2022
Submissions
2023-24 Submissions
Independent review of Queensland workers’ compensation scheme
15 December 2023
Every five years Queensland undertakes an independent review of the workers’ compensation scheme. More.
Lending to Small Business Approach Consultation
28 September 2023
From 18 August to 29 September 2023, AFCA invited members, consumer groups, industry bodies and other stakeholders to submit feedback and questions during consultation on its draft Approach Appropriate to Lending to Small Business. More
Consultation paper – National Tax Clinic Program
9 February 2024
The ATO is seeking feedback to inform the development of the National Tax Clinic Grant Opportunity Guidelines in line with better practice according to the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines 2017External Link. More
Unfair trading practices – Consultation Regulation Impact Statement
29 November 2023
In September 2022, the Commonwealth, state and territory consumer ministers agreed that the Commonwealth would lead a public consultation on options to address unfair trading practices on behalf of all jurisdictions. More
Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct
4 July 2024
The Commonwealth Supplier Code of Conduct (Code) outlines the Commonwealth’s minimum expectations of suppliers and their subcontractors while under contract with the Commonwealth from 1 July 2024. More
Payment Times Reporting Rules amendments
19 August 2024
In the 2023–24 Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the Australian Government announced implementing the Government’s response to the recommendations from the Statutory Review of the Payment Times Reporting Act 2020 (Government’s response). These proposed rules support the Payment Times Reporting (Amendment) Bill 2024 which received Royal Assent on 9 July 2024. More
Food and Grocery Code of Conduct Review 2023–24
24 June 2024
The purpose of the Food and Grocery Code (the Code) aims to address harmful practices in the grocery industry stemming from an imbalance of bargaining power between supermarkets and their suppliers. More
Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024
1 July 2024
The Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 was passed by the Legislative Assembly on 16 April 2024 to clarify and simplify the trust account framework. More
Summary Offences (Prevention of Knife Crime) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
1 February 2024
The Bill amends the Summary Offences Act 2005 (Summary Offences Act) as part of reforms designed to promote community safety, reduce youth offending and minimise the risks associated with knives and other dangerous items. More
Country of origin labelling for seafood in hospitality settings
3 August 2023
On 25 October 2022, the Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ed Husic MP, announced the Australian Government’s intent to work with the seafood and hospitality sectors to develop mandatory country of origin labelling for seafood in hospitality that will help consumers know if the seafood they order is Australian, while minimising costs and compliance burden on businesses. More
Independent Review of the 2020 General Insurance Code of Practice
14 November 2023
The General Insurance Code of Practice sets out the minimum standards of service and conduct that general insurers must meet in their dealings with customers must be independently reviewed every three years. More
Review of the Franchising Code of Conduct
8 February 2024
On 8 February 2024, the Minister for Small Business, the Hon Julie Collins MP, released the Independent Review of the Franchising Code of Conduct by Dr Michael Schaper. More
Trading (Allowable Hours) Regulation 2014
Queensland parliamentary committee considered proposed amendments to the Trading (Allowable Hours) Regulation 2014. For more information. More
Regulatory framework for online alcohol sales and deliveries in Queensland
26 June 2023
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General consulted on proposed measures to develop a new regulatory framework for online alcohol sales and deliveries in Queensland. This may involve amendments to the Liquor Act 1992 and the Wine Industry Act 1994. More
2022-23 Submissions
Property Law Bill 2022 – exposure draft
21 October 2022
Submission on the public exposure draft of the Property Law Bill 2022 as part of the Property Law Act Review – Department of Justice and Attorney General (Qld)
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 – review
21 September 2022
Submission on the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 as part of a 5-yearly review – Office of Industrial Relations (Qld)
Online Small Business Lenders Code of Practice – revised draft
19 August 2022
Submission on the revised draft of the Online Small Business Lenders Code of Practice as part of a regular review – Australian Finance Industry Association
2021-22 Submissions
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economic strategy – draft
30 June 2022
Feedback on the development of a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economic strategy – Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (Qld)
Trading (Allowable Hours) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 – consultation
10 June 2022
Submission on the Trading (Allowable Hours) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 as part of the inquiry into the operation of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 – Education, Employment and Training Parliamentary Committee (Qld)
2019 Monsoon Trough Recovery – review
31 January 2022
Feedback on the progress of recovery from the 2019 Monsoon Trough to inform an incremental report as part of the 2019 Monsoon Trough Review – Office of the Inspector-General Emergency Manager (Qld)
Modernising Registry Fees – discussion paper
28 January 2022
Submission on the Modernising Registry Fees discussion paper being delivered through the Modernising Business Registers program – Treasury (Cth)
Summertime Taskforce Project Recommendations report
3 December 2021
The Queensland Small Business Commissioner’s Recommendations Report on activating outdoor trade to support business expansion and local place-making
ePayments Code – review
18 November 2021
Submission to the final round of consultation of the Review of the ePayments Code – Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Discretionary Mutual Fund Review – interim report
3 November 2021
Submission on the interim report of the Discretionary Mutual Fund Review – Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 – inquiry
15 October 2021
Submission to the inquiry into the operation of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 – Education, Employment and Training Parliamentary Committee (Qld)
Interim Action Plan for Tourism Recovery – draft
15 September 2021
Feedback on the draft Interim Action Plan for Tourism Recovery – Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (Qld)
Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2021: Unfair contract terms reforms – exposure draft
13 September 2021
Feedback on the exposure draft of the unfair contract terms reforms to strengthen protections for consumers and small businesses – Treasury (Cth)
Projects
Queensland Small Business Hardship Appeal
April 2022 – June 2023
COVID, floods, bushfires and other disruptions take a serious toll on many small businesses. It’s tough for any business to replace or repair lost or damaged equipment or facilities essential to operating their business.
Equipment has become harder to replace due to increased costs, scarcity of supply or longer than usual lead times. The QSBC, in partnership with GIVIT, a national not-for-profit organisation registered with the Australian Government Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, established the appeal to help small businesses replace or repair equipment or facilities.
Summertime Taskforce
The Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development tasked the QSBC to lead the Summertime Taskforce project, which aimed to identify ways to make best use of Queensland’s great weather, facilitate better use of outdoor areas and on-street dining, and revitalise CBDs.
To inform the project, the QSBC established and chaired an Industry Reference Group with representatives from peak industry bodies and associations, councils and key Queensland Government departments. In December 2021, the Summertime Taskforce project delivered a report with practical recommendations and an action plan for the Queensland Government’s consideration. The report can be viewed here.
In October 2022, the Queensland Government provided their response to the report.
In the response, the Queensland Government supported or supported in principle all three recommendations in the Summertime Taskforce project report and committed to taking action.
To deliver on the Queensland Government’s commitment to take action, the response also provided the Queensland Outdoor Activation Action Plan (the Action Plan) – a package of assistance measures and reforms to support outdoor activation.
The Action Plan focuses on three key areas – improving the operating environment, celebrating and raising awareness, and connecting and building capability.
The Queensland Government will work with the QSBC, local councils and the small business community to implement the Action Plan over three years from 2022 to 2025.
The Action Plan will support improvements to the small business regulatory and operating environment, assist business owners and operators and local councils with guidance and information, help connect businesses to support and ideas, and build on existing assistance available to maximise opportunities for outdoor trade activation.
The response can be viewed here.