Small Business Commissioner Bill 2021
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Education, Employment and Training Committee
▸47 members spoke43 support4 mixed
Supports making the Small Business Commissioner permanent but argues the bill fails to give the commissioner sufficient independence and powers, backing LNP amendments to address these concerns.
“I support making this important body permanent, but it should be given the additional, justifiable, sensible powers that we have suggested.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill to establish a permanent Small Business Commissioner, noting small businesses have done it tough through COVID and flooding and need support with dispute resolution.
“Small business has done it tough throughout COVID and continues to do so. The LNP will be supporting this bill.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill and the role of the Small Business Commissioner, but raises concerns about independence from government and ministerial direction powers. The LNP will not oppose the legislation but will move amendments.
“the Liberal National Party will not be opposing this legislation. Indeed, the LNP opposition acknowledges the positive role that the existing Small Business Commissioner has played to date.”— 2022-03-16View Hansard
Spoke in strong support of the bill, praising the extensive consultation with over 2,500 small business owners and the establishment of a permanent one-stop shop for small business support and dispute resolution.
“Having a permanent Small Business Commissioner brings Queensland into step with every other mainland state in Australia and has been a terrific initiative by the Palaszczuk Labor government.”— 2022-03-15View Hansard
As Minister, introduces the bill to permanently establish the Queensland Small Business Commissioner to enhance the operating environment for small businesses and reduce time and costs for dispute resolution.
“The bill seeks to establish a permanent office of the Small Business Commissioner to both enhance the operating environment for small businesses in Queensland and reduce the time and costs associated with resolving disputes.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Strongly supports the bill, praising Labor's support for small business and noting the commissioner's importance for businesses recovering from COVID and floods.
“It has taken Labor to make the Small Business Commissioner permanent once more and bring Queensland into line with other states.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Strongly supports the bill as confirming the government's commitment to make the Small Business Commissioner permanent. Praises the work of the temporary commissioner and the government's support for small businesses during COVID-19.
“I think anything we can do to provide a clear pathway tailored to our small businesses in Queensland to get the information they need and to resolve disputes faster and more easily is welcomed and will support them to reduce costs and red tape.”— 2022-03-16View Hansard
Stated the opposition will not oppose the bill and applauded making the commissioner role permanent, but used his speech primarily to criticise the government's broader lack of support for small business during the pandemic and flooding events.
“While the bill will not be opposed by the opposition—in fact, we applaud making permanent the role of the Small Business Commissioner—I want to highlight a range of areas where small business has been forgotten.”— 2022-03-15View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the aims of the bill but argues it fails to deliver sufficient powers to the commissioner, supporting LNP amendments for greater independence and information-gathering powers.
“This bill fails that test. It fails to deliver the commissioner sufficient powers to properly serve the interests of all small businesses.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports establishing a permanent Small Business Commissioner but shares concerns raised by submitters about the independence of the role and the lack of a clear definition of small business.
“While all submitters supported the bill's objective to permanently establish a Queensland Small Business Commissioner, there were a number of issues raised.”— 2022-03-16View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as part of Labor's economic recovery plan, emphasising the importance of small businesses to regional economies and highlighting government programs like Back to Work and COVID adaptation grants.
“Labor supports small businesses because small businesses support our communities. That is what it is all about.”— 2022-03-15View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill, highlighting the 6,500 small businesses in her electorate and praising the Palaszczuk government's support for small business during COVID.
“I am incredibly proud of all the small businesses in my electorate.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill but warns the appointment must be transparent and independent from government, not a reward for cronyism, and must have real authority to make effective decisions.
“I wish to state that I will be supporting this bill. However, I want to put on record that the appointment of the commissioner must be transparent and devoid of cronyism.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Did not oppose the bill but raised concerns about insufficient independence of the commissioner from government, questioning whether ministerial direction and reporting powers could undermine the advocacy function.
“In order for the Small Business Commissioner to operate for small business, this bill must provide for requisite independence.”— 2022-03-15View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Drawing on lifelong small business experience, strongly supports the bill and criticises the LNP for previously abolishing the commissioner position.
“It is only Labor that makes sure that small business is looked after.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill as a former small business employee, praising the Small Business Commissioner's community engagement and accessibility.
“I know that our Small Business Commissioner and our Minister for Small Business are so engaged in making sure that those small businesses get the assistance and the information they need.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill, noting the importance of small business to the Hervey Bay economy and praising Labor's record of supporting small business.
“This Labor government has always been supportive of small business.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill, highlighting how the temporary commissioner helped local businesses during COVID and noting this bill will make the role permanent.
“When small businesses thrive, our economy grows.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill, sharing stories of local businesses affected by COVID and floods, and praising the commissioner's support functions.
“I know this legislation gives us that extra power to help small business to negotiate those leases and to make employing locals that bit easier.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill, acknowledging small businesses across his electorate and highlighting the government's $2.5 billion in COVID support for small business.
“This bill gives effect to the Queensland government's commitment to permanently establish a Queensland Small Business Commissioner and supporting office.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
As Minister, strongly supports the bill which permanently establishes the Small Business Commissioner, noting the temporary commissioner has already carried out more than 7,400 activities since May 2020.
“This bill is an important piece of legislation that will permanently establish a Queensland Small Business Commissioner to enhance the operating environment for small businesses right across the state.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-03-17View Hansard
Supports the bill to help small businesses.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
Supports the bill for small business.
“The bill will help small businesses.”— 2022-02-24View Hansard
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on LNP amendment moved by Mr Mickelberg to increase the Small Business Commissioner's independence from government by removing the ministerial direction provision, retaining only the statement of expectations.
The motion was defeated.
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Ayes (35)
Noes (52)
As shadow minister, supports the permanent commissioner but moved amendments seeking greater independence from government, arguing submitters raised concerns about ministerial control.
“Small businesses need to know that the Small Business Commissioner is working for them and not working for the government.”— 2022-03-29View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill creates a permanent Queensland Small Business Commissioner to support small businesses with advice, advocacy, and dispute resolution. It transitions the temporary COVID-19 commissioner role established during the pandemic into a permanent statutory position, making Queensland consistent with other mainland states.
Who it affects
Small business owners gain access to a permanent government service for lease and franchise dispute resolution. Retail tenants must use this mediation pathway before going to court, while landlords and franchisors may be required to participate.
Key changes
- Establishes a permanent Small Business Commissioner appointed for up to 5 years
- Provides statutory mediation for retail tenancy disputes, with opt-in mediation for commercial leases and franchises
- Creates information-sharing powers with other government agencies to assist small businesses
- Requires a mediation fee (comparable to other states) with hardship waivers available
- Mandates a review of the Act after five years