Small Business Commissioner and GIVIT launch Small Business Hardship Appeal

Business owners across Queensland are set to benefit from a new hardship appeal to help small businesses recover from hardship and get back on their feet.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said many small businesses had experienced adversity dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and flood events in South East Queensland.

“Replacing damaged equipment can be difficult, so our Small Business Commissioner’s Office has partnered with GIVIT to launch a dedicated Small Business Hardship Appeal.

“The aim of the appeal is to help small businesses recover and get back on track sooner,” Minister Farmer said.

“GIVIT is a successful not-for-profit which already assists members of the public and this new platform will also help business owners by linking them with donations of the business items they need, volunteer time and services, or funds.

“Small businesses are central to our local communities and crucial to our $14.5 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“With more than 448,000 small businesses in Queensland, accounting for 97 per cent of the business sector it’s vital we all work together to help businesses bounce back.”

“I am always amazed at how generous Queenslanders are in helping those in their community in need, and we know there are many businesses that want to help other businesses.

“This comes on top of the assistance the Queensland and Federal Governments have provided under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – more than $22 million so far for small businesses, primary producers, not-for-profit organisations and sporting and community clubs and associations,” Minister Farmer said.

Queensland Small Business Commissioner Maree Adshead said the Small Business Hardship Appeal was a practical way to deliver real outcomes to provide further assistance to small businesses in hardship.

“My office has received numerous offers of support from less impacted small businesses, industry associations and the public looking for ways to help businesses who are in need,” Ms Adshead said.

“The Small Business Hardship Appeal focuses on business owners who are needing that extra bit of help because they’ve encountered hardship due to things outside of their control such as the COVID-19 pandemic, floods or bushfires.

“Some businesses may not be able to source the necessary equipment to keep their business operational, they may need a hand to repair or clean up their business premises, or they don’t have the financial means to engage essential services.

“Our partnership with GIVIT enables those with the capacity to help to give what they can to assist small businesses who are experiencing hardship to get their business back up and running.”

GIVIT Founder Juliette Wright said requests for assistance on the GIVIT platform had doubled since the beginning of the pandemic.

“Now more than ever we need to help out our fellow Queenslanders and donating through GIVIT is a simple way to achieve that.”

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said that GIVIT was a practical way to assist small businesses experiencing hardship.

“Whether it’s new tools for a tradie suffering from financial hardship, or furniture for a café that lost everything in the floods, these requests can be listed on GIVIT.org.au for generous Queenslanders to browse what’s needed and donate.”

“For people who may not have something to donate but still want to help, many of these items can be funded with all of the money donated used by GIVIT to purchase the item requested.”

Small businesses experiencing hardship can contact the Queensland Small Business Commissioner’s office to be connected with Small Business Hardship Appeal partners via 1300 312 344.

Media contact: 0482 914 103