Miles Doing What Matters: Government Backing Business in the Bush

• Miles Labor Government announces support for 18 bush businesses
• Support for up to 20 additional businesses will be finalised in coming weeks
• $50 million Backing Business in the Bush Fund ensuring regional SMEs thrive.

Nearly 40 businesses across regional Queensland will share in investments of up to $2 million to boost their productivity, sustainability and competitiveness through the Miles Labor Government’s $50 million Backing Business in the Bush Fund.

In the first tranche of funding, 18 small and medium enterprises from the Darling Downs to Weipa will receive co-investments ranging from $500,00 to $2 million.

Up to 20 additional regional businesses are expected to have their agreements finalised in the coming weeks supporting them to expand, enhance or diversify their operations.

The Backing Business in the Bush Fund will ensure that these SMEs in mostly traditional industries like agriculture, manufacturing, transport and mining equipment, technology and services (METS) will get the boost that they need.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“When our regions thrive, Queensland thrives.

“My government will always back business, especially in our regions, and today we announce 18 bush businesses set to receive support.

“I know that these funds will go a long way to supporting productivity, sustainability and growth.” 

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“Small and medium-sized are the engine rooms of so many regional communities across our state.

“Many of these businesses are already industry-leading when it comes to innovation, sustainability and international competitiveness.

“Now, we want to give more SME’s the opportunity to join in that leadership, growing and capitalising on their existing success.

“With agreements now in place with this first tranche of companies, and more to be announced in coming weeks, we’re incredibly proud to support these Queensland homegrown businesses take their operations to the next level.

“Fund recipients come from industries including agriculture, food processing, engineering, METS, transport and manufacturing.

“They reflect Queensland’s incredibly diverse economy, where no sector accounts for more than 10 per cent of output.

Quotes attributable to Australian Premium Macadamias Operations Manager Sue Hansen:

“Australian Premium Macadamias is extremely grateful for the support from the Backing Business in the Bush Fund to expand our business and help meet the global demand for our iconic Australian product.

“Not only will this funding help to grow and create more jobs locally but it will also allow us to invest in specialised processing technology to ensure long term commercial success.  

“We are a group of likeminded farmers who decided to work together to invest in our industry and our region, and we are excited to continue to build our business and take the best of our local produce to the rest of the world.”

Quotes attributable to Perrott Engineering Managing Director John Perrott:

“The addition of two new CNC machines, thanks to the assistance of the Queensland Government, will provide a considerable boost to the precision machining services available in Far North Queensland.

“They complement and extend our specialist capabilities in the precision manufacturing of bespoke products for our maritime and mining customers across Australia and PNG.

“It will also provide training opportunities for apprentices and conventional manual machinists not normally be available in a regional location, and our staff will get to work on the best machines available in the world today.”

Further information:

• The Backing Business in the Bush Fund is a $50 million investment program supporting SMEs undertake projects in regional Queensland.
• Learn more about each of these projects and the Queensland Government’s investment programs and support for business.

Successful fund applicants as of 22 August 2024

ENDS

Media contact: Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875