Visiting our businesses throughout the year, working with associations and the Small Business Commissioner means Sandy can advocate early with the state government on what is directly impacting. Below are updates on recent progress made on further supports for our small businesses, however we are currently asking for owners and operators to have their say on two consultations that are open and to send copies of any submissions to our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au to inform our ongoing efforts on both.

We would also appreciate any feedback via our office on the below information.

Grants and funding programs

Criteria for programs such as the growing workforce participation fund or similar needs to include the Noosa Shire as our economy is both regional and below average income, and it is inequitable given that areas such as Wide Bay, Logan and Moreton Bay are eligible for these grants. In addition, new grant programs are needed to assist business and industry to devise strategies, programs and consortia designed to transition employees in highly-casualised industries such as hospitality and tourism to full time employees, as well for initiatives that provide worker accommodations. Sandy has advocated these needs to the new Queensland Minister for Training and will update once a response has been received.

Land tax

As mentioned in our September 2024 land tax Noosa 360 update, Sandy has continued her advocacy since 2023 for a review of the land tax threshold to provide relief to both residents and local businesses alike in efforts to reduce flow on burdens to tenants. We understand, and as indicated from previous responses from the previous government, that Queensland’s threshold is one of the most generous in Australia, however it has not changed since 2007 and needs to be reviewed. Thankfully, following this advocacy by Sandy and others, the government made a commitment to review all property tax.

With a new government in place after the 2024 October State Election, we sought reassurance that the review would remain on track and confirmation that the automatic exemption system previously achieved, would finally be fully implemented. The following was provided in response by the Queensland Treasurer, who Sandy recently met with.

We acknowledge that the Land Tax threshold was last changed in 2007. We also note that the now Treasurer wrote to the former Government numerous times, both himself and on behalf of constituents, in a manner identical to your correspondence about this exact issue and was told that there was no need to change the land tax settings.

What we can provide is the following undertaking: the importance and value of real estate investors will no longer be ignored by the Queensland Government and getting more supply to market is a top priority.

Regarding the automation of exemption processes, this is an issue we identified and campaigned on in Opposition, and while the former government eventually conceded and made some automation available, there remains opportunity for improvement, and we will continue to work with QRO on opportunities to improve our customer services.

We welcome the commitment to improvement from the new government however as no firm timeline was provided, Sandy will continue to follow up on this and provide updates as new information becomes available.

GP Payroll tax

Please see Sandy’s update at www.sandybolton.com/gp-payroll-tax-update-march-2025.

Small business sustainability

There is a concerning increase in vacant commercial shop fronts and increased reports of even more at risk of closure. This due to several factors including less income, the cost of living, as well as unsustainable and rising rents. We have received the following update in italics recently from the Queensland Minister for Small and Family Business on some items Sandy has been advocating for based on past feedback.

I appreciate your advice concerning businesses in Noosa. I recognise that businesses, in general, have been negatively affected by the cost-of-living crisis, including the compounding effect of higher operational costs such as rent costs, higher interest rates and reduced customer spend. I note the needs and suggestions of small business operators and stakeholders in your region and provide the following advice:

Subsidised accounting software and supports to assist in financial management:

As part of the Queensland Government’s Small Business First policy, my department, will deliver a new $8.8 million grant program to support small and family construction businesses and sole traders to purchase business management software and training. Information from financial management to business planning and managing risks is available on the Business Queensland website.

Implementation of the Western Australia red tape reduction model – use the Small Business Friendly Councils to implement behavioural change across councils and reduce red tape:

As part of the Small Business First policy, the Queensland Small Business Commission (QSBC) has a renewed focus on red tape reduction and dispute management. I have provided the QSBC with a Statement of Expectations to formalise this renewed focus which was confirmed by QSBC through a Statement of Intent. Both documents are publicly available on QSBC’s website. My department is continuing to work with QSBC on identifying small business red tape reform opportunities.

The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers is leading a Local Government Red Tape Reduction Taskforce that will work with councils to find ways to streamline approvals and reduce barriers for council projects. A report is due for Government consideration mid-year.

The Queensland Business Launchpad is helping businesses navigate and find regulatory information easily – delivering almost $57 million in time savings for businesses, with more than 98,000 users as at 30 June 2024.

Place-based procurement training for small businesses and profiling of ‘Buy Queensland’ and ‘Local Buy’:

Key election commitments under the Small Business First policy aim to increase access for small and family businesses to government procurement opportunities. These include making it easier for small businesses to tender for government work; and delivery of a Five days On Time, Every Time Payment Guarantee for small businesses and immediate payments for invoices under $10,000.

Through our dedicated Queensland Government Small Business Procurement Advisor my department will work closely with the Department of Housing and Public Works, who leads the Queensland Government procurement policy, to deliver a range of procurement improvements to build the capability and capacity of small and family businesses to benefit from government spend.

Expand the powers of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner via regulation amendment to deal with business-to-business disputes and to compel parties to mediation:

As outlined above, a key election commitment delivered within the first 100 days of government has been delivered by my issuing of a new Statement of Expectations to the QSBC to refocus efforts on dispute management.

Partner with the Griffith Tax clinic and the James Cook University Tax clinic to provide specialised support to financial counsellors to assist:

The Small Business Financial Counselling Service, the Small Business Wellness Coaching Service and the Rural Financial Counselling Service are key components of the Small Business Support Network, which provided free financial counselling, business wellness coaching and other support services to help small and family business owners. Support to navigate tax matters is within the scope of the Financial Counselling Service.

A standard small business property lease similar to the Residential Tenancies Authority and residential tenants:

My department administers the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994. A statutory review of this Act is due to be undertaken, which will provide the opportunity to consider this proposal further.

Further information

Financial help, support and advice about managing your business can be found on the Business Queensland’s website at www.business.qld.gov.au.

The Queensland Small Business Commissioner provides dispute assistance and mediation for small businesses. Although they cannot arbitrate matters, make rulings, give directions or issue orders, they will work with you to explore your options and find an informal resolution to your dispute. Contact can be made via 1300 312 344.

The Department of Small and Family Business and that staff are available to discuss any issues and give individual advice regarding the supports or services available, whether financial or otherwise. They can be contacted on 1300 654 687 and you can find more information at www.cdsb.qld.gov.au/small-and-family-business.

As mentioned in the introduction, please send us any thoughts on what is needed from state government for small businesses to our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au. Make sure to also lodge submissions via the two consultations currently open.

Updates on many local matters are available on Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360. To receive information straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter via www.sandybolton.com/newsletters. This also ensures you receive any future Noosa related surveys or polls.