Small Business Reference Group: Small businesses to meet regularly with NSW government

A group of small businesses have been chosen for a new council that will meet regularly with the NSW government.

A group of small businesses have been chosen for a new council that will meet regularly with the NSW government and inform policy.

The dozen businesses are based in Sydney, Central Coast, Illawarra, and in regional NSW.

“We want to ensure the issues and experiences of small businesses are well represented within the NSW government,” NSW Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope said.

“There is no substitute to hearing directly from small businesses owners and operators on what we are doing right and what we can improve on.”

Jonima Flowers, based in Yanderra, NSW, is one of the businesses chosen for the group. Picture: AAP Image / Carmela Roche

The Small Business Reference Group will be chaired by Mr Tudehope, who is also finance minister, along with the NSW Small Business commissioner Chris Lamont.

“Often the best ideas and solutions to complicated issues come from small businesses themselves,” Mr Lamont said.

“The members of the group have been chosen to represent a diverse range of businesses and business experiences, including strong representation from regional areas and representatives from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.”

The firms who will make up the group include Sydney’s LeaseInfo, Utopia Surf from the Central Coast, and the Penrith Early Learning Centre based in western Sydney.

Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope will co-chair the group. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Other businesses are in the hospitality, mining, agriculture, beauty, landscaping, IT and retail industries.

The first of what are expected to be quarterly meetings will take place in March.

“We want to help small businesses across the state get back on their feet as quickly as possible, and the views of the (group) will be invaluable in informing us how we can best support businesses and respond to their concerns,” Mr Tudehope said.

Originally published as Small Business Reference Group: Small businesses to meet regularly with NSW government