Advancing Small Business consultation kicks off in Cairns

Published Thursday, 14 April, 2016 at 06:59 AM

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

The Palaszczuk Government will engage small business around the state this month as it develops a new strategy to help Queensland small businesses start, grow and create jobs.

Cairns will today host the first in a series of consultation sessions to be held with key small business leaders from around the state which will contribute to the Government’s Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-2020.

Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said the strategy was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s broader commitment to fostering a positive environment for small businesses in Queensland.

“Stronger small businesses means more successful businesses, more jobs, more sustainable communities, regional growth and a stronger Queensland economy,” Ms Enoch said.

“Over the coming weeks we will be providing an overview of the strategy and consulting with councils, business chambers, regional development groups and government agencies to seek their feedback.

“Through this collaborative approach, we will develop a comprehensive statewide blueprint for improving support for small businesses.”

Small businesses make up more than 97 per cent of all businesses in Queensland and employ 43 per cent of the private sector workforce.

Ms Enoch said small business was a key driver of the Queensland economy and it was important to provide them with the right environment to thrive. 

 “Our Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy will be focused on creating an environment that supports businesses when they start, sustains them through the first four years and facilitates high growth and employment by leveraging the Advance Queensland agenda.  

“Throughout the entire business growth cycle we want to encourage businesses to be more innovative and embrace digital technologies in order to compete in the global economy and become more resilient.”

In addition to the consultation sessions an online public discussion paper on the strategy will be released on the Queensland Government’s Get Involved website Monday, 18 April.

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201