MEDIA STATEMENT: Financial literacy workshops open for Queensland Small Business Month

Financial literacy workshops open for Queensland Small Business Month 

• Regional Queensland will host more than 50 events during Queensland Small Business month in May.
• Registrations are open for the Crisafulli Government events, including 12 Mentoring for Growth sessions.
• Bookings are now open for most Small Business Month events through business.qld.gov.au  

The Crisafulli Government is kicking off Queensland Small Business Month by announcing regional Queensland will host a series of new financial literacy events for the first time.  

The financial literacy series features 10 in-person workshops titled 'What is my bottom line telling me', which are the cornerstone of a packed calendar of events during the month-long focus on Queensland’s small and family businesses. 

Each of the half-day workshops will provide personalised support and interaction for up to 10 businesses and include targeted sessions for small business owners to chat one on one to financial counsellors, business wellness coaches and mentors. 

The series will kick off in Emerald on 8 May, followed by Toowoomba (14 May) and Goondiwindi (15 May), with events also hosted in Winton, Longreach, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Mt Isa and Charters Towers. 

The Crisafulli Government has eased pressure for small and family businesses by refocusing the Small Business Commissioner on the reduction of red tape, which has suffocated the industry and led the highest failure rate of businesses anywhere in the country under the former Labor Government. 

Small and Family Business Minister Steve Minnikin said the workshops would go through a range of case studies to demonstrate key principles of having a successful business. 

“It could be something as simple as understanding what is impacting your profit and loss statement or understanding how expanding specific product or service offerings will impact your bottom line,” Minister Minnikin said. 

“If you’re unable to attend the event in person, there will be two online sessions. 

“The Crisafulli Government understands that Queensland’s 495,000 small and family businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy, employing more than 1 million Queenslanders. 

“For too long, small and family businesses have been weighed down under Labor with the cost of regulation doubling in two years to an average of $50,000 per business, and many small businesses having to engage the equivalent of a fulltime employee just to manage red tape."

Member for Condamine Pat Weir welcomed the focus on small businesses across regional Queensland. 

“We are committed to backing Queensland’s small and family businesses to thrive,” Mr Weir said. 

“Whether you’re a primary producer or managing the local coffee shop, small and family businesses are vital for local jobs but they need support. 

“I want to ensure that regional businesses are able to access all the assistance and programs being offered by the Crisafulli Government, including our grant programs, information sessions or some of the upcoming networking events.”