Palaszczuk Government delivers for small businesses

Published Tuesday, 10 May, 2016 at 06:23 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

The Queensland Government has delivered on reducing red tape and improving protection for Queensland small businesses involved in retail leasing.

The Retail Shop Leases Amendment Bill was passed by the Queensland parliament with bipartisan support this evening.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the amendments will make it easier for small businesses to compete with major retailers.

“Small businesses are one of the most important drivers of jobs growth in this state, and every day they have to compete with big national and international chains on a playing field that is often far from level,” said Mrs D’Ath.

The amendments will:

  • set out minimum standards for retail shop leases
  • provide a low cost dispute resolution process
  • exclude leases with a floor area greater than 1000m2 from the operation of the Act, in recognition that these tenants are generally sophisticated business operators who do not require special protection;
  • exclude certain non-retail leases from the operation of the Act; and
  • exempt shopping centre landlords from liability to compensate tenants for trading losses where the centre is closed in an emergency situation (for example, during flooding).

The Bill also includes various amendments to clarify and improve the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Act, including providing flexibility for tenant waiver of the landlord disclosure period and streamlining current market rent determination processes.

“This Bill enhances protection for retail tenants,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“It will safeguard prospective retail business buyers by requiring the seller to provide disclosures about the lease for the business premises, before a business contract is entered into.”

“These changes for small businesses mark the end of a very long consultation process, and the hard work of stakeholders, over many years,”

“I thank the dedication of all stakeholders involved in the process of making these changes a reality.”

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