A re-elected Palaszczuk Labor government said it will back Queensland small businesses to further drive economic recovery with a $140 million strategy to lift competitiveness and resilience.
Employment and Small Business Minister and Member for Waterford Shannon Fentiman said the Palaszczuk government support during the COVID-19 pandemic has included $196 million in small business adaption grants, $950 million in payroll tax reform and $1 billion in job support loans.
Ms Fentiman said the Small Business Commissioner role will be extended, following a rising demand for businesses to navigate leasing disputes with their landlords.
“Our Small Business Commissioner has been helping hundreds of businesses and landlords during the pandemic – saving them time, money and stress,” she said.
“The Palaszczuk government is committed to backing Queensland businesses and backing Queensland jobs.”
The Big Plans for Small Business strategy builds on the Palaszczuk government’s response to the challenges faced by businesses as a result of COVID-19, including:
$1 billion in interest free/low interest business loans, with 86% going to small business
$950 million in payroll tax relief
$500 million for the Backing Queensland Business Investment Fund to support businesses that need capital to create jobs
$400 million in land tax relief
$196 million for Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grants, paid to 18,000 businesses
$100 million in electricity bill rebates
$1.2 million to establish a regional network of business support officers in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.
Ms Fentiman said the LNP took small businesses for granted but failed to support the sector.
“When Deb Frecklington was Campbell Newman’s Assistant Minister they abolished the Small Business Commissioner and they only delivered broken promises of payroll tax relief,” Ms Fentiman said.
“The LNP has cut jobs every time they’ve been in government and their billions of dollars in unfunded promises could only be achieved with massive cuts.
“Now is not the time to risk the LNP’s cuts.”
The Strategy will build on the ALP’s 2016-20 Advancing Queensland Small Business Strategy which saw thousands of businesses supported through our grants, mentoring and other assistance and resources.
