New small business plan will unlock innovation for success

Small business will be given support to start, grow and employ under a new strategy launched by Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch in Mackay tonight.

Ms Enoch said the $22.7 million State Budget commitment to the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-20 was part of the government’s $405 million Advance Queensland agenda to create jobs now and the jobs of the future.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises the importance of the state’s 406,000 small businesses to the economy and local communities, especially in regional Queensland,” Ms Enoch said.

“This Strategy provides stronger advocacy, connects businesses to help them succeed and empowers them to work smarter, not harder.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the focus on small business in regional areas would play an important part in boosting employment opportunities for thousands of Queenslanders.

“Small businesses are vitally important to our regions and communities,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Just like the nearly 4000 small businesses in my electorate and the 14,000 small businesses in the broader Mackay area, they are the heart and soul of many local communities.

“The Strategy has a strong regional focus to help small businesses and will work with key stakeholders to deliver programs in regional areas that will help small businesses start, grow and, most importantly, employ.”

Minister Enoch said the Strategy would be delivered by a new Office of Small Business which will coordinate services and connectivity across Queensland Government, work closely with key stakeholders and help small business create jobs, drive business growth, harness innovation and build digital capacity.

Within the Office, Queensland’s new Small Business Champion will advocate to all levels of government; represent Queensland at a national level on the Small Business Commissioners’ forum and support small businesses to access information and opportunities.

“The Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy expands the Queensland Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow program to foster our future entrepreneurs through New Idea Forums and a funding program for new and home-based businesses,” Ms Enoch said.

“It will also focus on assisting women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to start and grow their small businesses.

“We will also assist businesses to grow and employ through the Accelerate Small Business grants program, by expanding the highly successful Mentoring for Growth program and helping them to take advantage of opportunities arising from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

“We will also be helping small businesses to enter the digital economy through our Small Business Digital Grants.”

The Strategy also includes ongoing support for the popular Queensland Small Business Week.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to creating a supportive environment that assists businesses when they start through to growth and employment,” Minister Enoch said.

“That is our vision for small business in Queensland and what our Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy will achieve.”

For more information visit www.dtesb.qld.gov.au/small-business.  

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201