Call for help to cut business red tape

Above: Jen Ison, owner of Red Fox Orchid in Caboolture with Small Business Minister Minnikin, Greater Caboolture Chamber of Commerce president Carla Melbourne and Member for Pumicestone Arian Doolan. 

Chambers of Commerce in Moreton Bay and across Queensland are being called upon to help cut State Government red tape.

Small Business Minister Steve Minnikin will write to more than 120 Chambers across Queensland asking for feedback on red tape reduction priorities.

It is part of the government’s 100 Day Plan to refocus the Queensland Small Business Commissioner on red tape reduction and dispute resolution.

“Some of the feedback includes language being too complicated, different information from different areas of government or duplication in auditing and monitoring requirements,” the Minnikin said on a visit to Pumicestone.

“Queensland has one of the highest rates of entry into small business. However small and family businesses are telling us growing red tape and inefficient regulation is stifling their business growth and competitiveness.”

Business Chamber Queensland says the cost of regulation has doubled in two years to $50,000 and on average businesses need a fulltime employee to manage regulation.

Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan welcomed the focus on red tape stifling innovation and creativity.

“Small and family businesses like Red Fox Orchids are at the heart of our community, providing services, training and products and it is imperative we reduce the hurdles they face.

“I will be working with our local Chambers of Commerce and peak business groups to ensure people from all backgrounds, with all experiences, are well-supported to start and operate small and family businesses.”

New figures show there are now more than 495,000 small and family businesses who employ more than one million Queenslanders.