Palaszczuk Government blueprint for small business heralds growth

The Palaszczuk Government is firmly positioning Queensland as the Small Business State, allocating more than three million dollars in grants to over 600 small businesses during the past financial year.

Small Business Minister Leeanne Enoch said today (Sunday) the grants – administered under the government’s $22.7 million Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-20 – confirm the government is delivering on its commitment to grow the sector and create jobs.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s economic plan is setting the right conditions for small business growth after the disastrous slash-and-burn approach of the Newman-Nicholls Government,” Ms Enoch said.

“A key initiative of our strategy – which has just been updated – has been opening the Office of Small Business.

“Through our Office of Small Business, we are listening to the needs of small business owners and developing programs and resources to help them start, grow and employ.

“Over the past financial year, 604 small businesses have benefited from our grants programs - with almost $3.1 million in funding allocated.”

Ms Enoch said the successful Mentoring for Growth program has been expanded to help small business owners meet the challenges of a changing economy.

“Unlike Tim Nicholls, who in his first budget as Treasurer oversaw more than $700,000 in cuts to the Mentoring for Growth and other small business programs, we understand how important and how successful these small business programs are,” she said.

“Over the past financial year, we’ve supported 297 mentoring activities by connecting them with business experts who provide suggestions and insights on business challenges and opportunities.

“One hundred percent of surveyed participants report that their mentors offered honest and constructive feedback; and 94 per cent say they will act on the feedback and that the Mentoring for Growth panel was useful or very useful,” she said.

Digital marketing software specialists Synergy 8 attended a Mentoring for Growth panel earlier this year, seeking analysis of their business model from industry experts.

“Synergy 8 is in the process of commercialisation and scaling-up,” said Director, Scott McNaught.

“The feedback we received was frank and honest, and it motivated us to focus more on our business objectives of sustainable growth, rather than just product development. I wish we’d accessed the program earlier,” Mr McNaught said.

Ms Enoch said other achievements under the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016-20 included 40 workshops and events being held across the state, the new-look Business Queensland website having more than 4.7 million visits and the appointment of a Queensland Small Business Champion – Maree Adshead -who is giving Queensland businesses a voice at the national small business table.

“Under the Newman-Nicholls Government, the Business Commissioner was axed - a move the Council of Small Business Australia said at the time was a backward step,” Ms Enoch said.

“Through our Small Business Champion, we've restored our voice on the network of Small Business Commissioners to ensure Queensland is represented at the national level when policies, legislation and programs are being discussed.”

Ms Enoch said the updated strategy showcases successful small businesses, and provides the latest statistics on the state of small business in Queensland.

To download a copy, visit www.dtesb.qld.gov.au

ENDS

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