Craig Crawford lashes LNP over its small business scheme

The LNP will launch a new service that aims to stop Queensland’s most vulnerable businesses from going bust at an alarming rate, if elected, the Opposition Small and Family Business Minister says.

Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business, Brett Mickelberg, co-founder of Far North business, GeoNadir, Paul Mead and the LNP's candidate for Barron River, Bree James in Smithfield on Monday.

The LNP will launch a new service that aims to stop Queensland’s most vulnerable businesses from going bust at an alarming rate, if elected, Shadow Minister for Small and Family Business Brett Mickelberg says.

But a Far North MP has criticised the plan, arguing that data showed that small businesses were growing in spite of adverse market conditions.

The Coalition announced plans to create a “concierge service” for smaller operators in Smithfield on Monday that would encourage emerging enterprises to negotiate commercial contracts with state government bodies more often.

Under the scheme, the Queensland Small Business Commissioner would attempt to eliminate additional “red tape” that can hinder companies from even tendering for work, Mr Mickelberg said.

“Rather than having to go through all the different government departments every time they need something done, they’ll be able to call one number and they’ll get the service they need from that business concierge service,” he said.

The number of administrations and liquidations in the Sunshine State increased by more than 23 percent in the 2023 financial year, with more than 1000 companies forced to shut up shop according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Since then, interest rates and inflation had only kept the pressure on and margins tight for battling businesses, Mr Mickelberg said.

“Queensland has the highest level of business liquidations of any state in the country,” he said.

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford. Picture: Brendan Radke

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the LNP’s plan offered voters nothing new.

“It’s unbelievable that after four years to plan for this moment, the LNP don’t have a single new idea – we already have a Small Business Hotline,” Mr Crawford said.

“Labor is already providing $5000 in financial grant support through Business Basics and will increase it to $7500.

“So, either the LNP haven’t done their homework, or they don’t care, and will cut it anyway.”

Mr Mickelberg estimated that around a million Queenslanders are employed by small and family businesses.

“That’s a really important part of our workforce, economies and communities,” he said.

Small businesses were on the rise across the state, Mr Crawford said.

“In the latest data year to June 2023, Queensland had 68 per cent of the nation’s new small business growth,” he said.

“That’s a vote of confidence in conditions.”

The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines small business as any organisation that employs less than 20 people.

Originally published as Craig Crawford lashes LNP over its small business scheme