November has been a whirlwind month for our office packed with new opportunities, meaningful engagements, and our ongoing focus on supporting Queensland’s small businesses. As we approach the end of the year, I’d love to share what we’ve been up to, what we’ve achieved, and what lies ahead for the Queensland Small Business Commissioner (QSBC).
This month, we’ve had the privilege of getting to know our new Minister, the Honourable Steven Minnikin MP. As part of the Queensland Government’s The First 100 Days election commitment, our office is set to sharpen its focus to include resolving business-to-business payment disputes and increasing our red tape reduction efforts. To achieve this, we’re working closely with the Department of Customer Services, Open Data, and Small and Family Business to pave the way forward.
Our mission is to enhance the operating environment for small businesses and reduce the time and costs involved in resolving disputes. Currently, we assist with alternate dispute resolution for landlord and tenant matters, resolving 64% of cases in under 30 days at just $185.50 per matter. Thanks to our dedicated team of just 15 staff, we’ve saved small businesses and their lessors an estimated $14.04 million- and 13,800-weeks pursuing action in a court or tribunal. This highlights the impact we can have when we work together, and whether you need help, information, or just someone to listen and support you in your next steps we’re here for you.
This month, we also proudly welcomed Blackall-Tambo Regional Council as the 51st member of the Small Business Friendly Program. During our visit, we had the chance to meet business leaders and local small business owners across various industries—agriculture, retail, creative arts, hospitality, and manufacturing—and see firsthand the incredible work they are doing in the region. The council’s commitment to supporting their small businesses is inspiring and we’re excited to see the new initiatives they’re putting in place. We look forward to visiting the vibrant small business community in Blackall-Tambo again soon.
Advocacy remains a year-round priority for us. This month, we attended the National Small Business Commissioners’ meeting, where we discussed key federal issues affecting small businesses, including the ATO, the ACCC, ASIC, environment, social and governance risks and opportunities (ESG), 3G network shutdowns, insurance challenges, and more. Forums such as these allow us to amplify your voices and collaborate with key partners to explore how we can bolster our support for the challenges and opportunities you face.
Finally, we were honoured to participate in World Social Enterprise Day alongside the Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC). It was an inspiring day, hearing from the new Queensland Treasurer, the Honourable David Janetzki MP, about his commitment to small business and social enterprises—organisations that reinvest their profits to benefit the public, community, and environment. Congratulations to QSEC for hosting such an insightful event!
Looking ahead
While this year is ending, our work is far from over. Whether it’s helping resolve disputes, advocating for your needs, building supportive networks, or promoting thriving communities, we remain steadfast in our commitment to Queensland’s small business community.
Thank you for sharing your stories and being part of this journey with us. Let’s finish the year strong, and I look forward to continuing this important work together in the months ahead.
Connect with us
If you are new to our newsletter or want to learn more about our services, resources, initiatives, and projects, visit the QSBC website. If you need more information, call us on 1300 312 344 or submit an enquiry.
Dominique Lamb
Queensland Small Business Commissioner
For more details, read the QSBC newsletter November 2024