JOINT STATEMENT
SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND NATIONAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE
THE HON DIANNE FARMER
QUEENSLAND MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS
Small to medium businesses in North and Far North Queensland who were impacted by the 2019 Monsoon Trough can now access additional financial support to help their operations grow and also help strengthen their preparedness for future hazards, as part of a $10 million business support package from the Australian and Queensland Governments.
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the Business Concierge Service pilot program, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, is now accepting applications from small business owners to access up to $2,500 in financial support.
"There are many small businesses that took a real hit during and after the 2019 Monsoon disaster. The Australian Government not only wants to support these small businesses in their recovery, but wants to give them the tools to become stronger and better able to withstand future challenges," Minister McKenzie said.
"Small businesses owners who are deemed eligible for the Business Concierge Service can book an initial consultation with a Growth Advisor from Smart Precinct NQ.
"They will then receive a needs assessment and growth plan that highlights key areas they can work on in their business.
"From these recommendations, the business can choose specialists that provide support services up to the value of $2,500 from the Concierge support package that meet their most pressing business needs."
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer congratulated the Queensland Small Business Recovery Advisory Council and Smart Precinct NQ on the launch of the program.
"This project is about creating strong and resilient communities and I'm pleased to see such an innovative program created to help businesses thrive," Minister Farmer said.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our regions — supporting local families and boosting our economy — so it's vitally important they have the support they need to get started, improve and expand their services and operations.
"That's why we were there with emergency support in the immediate aftermath of the monsoon, and it's why we're still there two years on to help businesses thrive.
"I congratulate those involved in establishing the Business Concierge Service, which will no doubt create important connections that will benefit businesses and communities in North and North West Queensland.
"We know small businesses are at the heart of our communities, which is why backing small business is a key focus of the Queensland Government's $14.5 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan."
To be eligible businesses must have less than 20 staff, have been in operation at the time of the Monsoon Trough disaster in January and February 2019, and based in one of the 14 Local Government Areas in North and Far North Queensland that were disaster declared.
The Business Concierge Service is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
