- New Miles Government's Budget delivers short and longer-term measures through $250 million war chest of support in new Queensland Small Business Strategy launched just over a week ago.
- More than $3 million in cash grants of up to $20,000 have been launched under the latest round of the Business Boost program.
- Small business customers to benefit from an $11.218 billion package of cost-of-living relief and targeted concessions as the centrepiece of the Budget.
More relief is on the way for the owners and operators of the more than 480,000 Queensland small businesses, along with the jobs of more than one million Queenslanders.
The new Miles Labor Government's Budget is delivering on the commitment of a $250 million war chest of support over three years for the Queensland Small Business Strategy.
The Budget does what matters for Queensland small businesses and locks in significant and direct financial support with Round 4 of Business Boost now launched.
The new round of grants of up to $20,000 will support activities such as future planning, acquisition of specialised and automated software, and planning and systems for staff management and development.
Immediate relief is on the way too with registration fees to be cut by 20 per cent on light vehicle registration discount that will start to appear on renewal notices sent to customers from 5 August 2024.
The reduction will apply to the registration fee and the traffic improvement fee for all light vehicles, regardless of purpose of use, and will also apply to trailers – utilised by mobile small businesses across Queensland.
Helping to fill workforce shortages is more funding for grants to support businesses to implement workforce solutions as well as the expansion of Labor's Free TAFE initiative, helping to skill up Queensland workers without businesses in priority industries bearing the costs of training.
Relief from energy bills for all Queenslanders doesn't just stop at the household either, the Budget locks in the continuation of the $650 rebate on electricity bills for over 200,000 eligible small businesses.
Available throughout Queensland, free financial counselling and wellness coaching service will continue to help small business owners tackle challenges and find solutions with free, and one-on-one, targeted support.
It also funds the appointment of a new Night Life Economy Commissioner that will work closely with local businesses, live music venues, and entertainment precincts to create a vibrant and safe nightlife environment.
The new commissioner will work with industry to support, promote, and advocate for key aspects of the night life economy, with an emphasis on partnerships that encourage the growth, sustainability, and vibrancy of the diverse local businesses that underpin this important sector.
The Budget will also help maximise procurement and supply chain opportunities for the over 200,000 small construction, technical professional, and real estate businesses that can benefit from Queensland's infrastructure Big Build of housing, energy, hospitals, schools, and transport.
Statement from Small Business Minister Lance McCallum
"This Labor Budget is delivering on what matters for both small businesses and their customers.
"It helps to lower costs and fight inflation for small businesses, including with direct grant support, a $650 energy rebate for over 200,000 small businesses, a 20% discount on vehicle registration–including light commercial vehicles and trailers, freezing fee increases, as well as initiatives to boost productivity, and more funding for free financial counsellors.
"For their customers, we know that changes in consumer spending can hit small businesses the hardest, so an $11.218 billion package of cost-of-living relief and targeted concessions is the centrepiece of our Budget.
"This nation-leading program will put more money back in to the pockets of Queenslanders and more revenue in the bank accounts of our hard-working small businesses.
"New and boosted initiatives include electricity bill rebates, almost free public transport fares, reduced vehicle registration fees, more and bigger discount vouchers for children's sport and active recreation activities, as well as expanded relief measures for vulnerable groups.
"We're also proud to back Business Chamber Queensland through our $2.5 million Workforce Evolve collaboration to help small business diversify their growing workforces, as well as the highly successful ecoBiz program, to help small business save money on energy, water, and waste."
