Queensland government encourages contracts for SMEs

Small businesses will have easier and better access to government purchasing opportunities through the establishment of a Queensland Small Business Procurement Commitment.

The state’s Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said the Queensland Government wanted feedback from small businesses to ensure they could take full advantage of the Buy Queensland policy and take part in the government procurement processes.

“We want to support Queensland businesses by opening up opportunities for them to participate in the government’s multi-billion-dollar investment in goods and services,” she said.

“This also locks into our Go Local, Grow Local campaign, which is helping small businesses across the state cement their position in their communities.

“The main thing is that we want to make it easier for small business to do business with government.”

Queensland has 426,000 small businesses and they are acknowledged as a key driver of the state’s economy and a major supporter of job creation.

“The Queensland Government’s purchasing of goods and services contributes to growing the economy, jobs and businesses,” Minister Fentiman said.

“Allowing greater access to these opportunities for small businesses recognises the contribution they make to our communities across Queensland.”

The Queensland Government has already demonstrated strong commitment to ensuring procurement benefits extend to all Queenslanders through the Backing Queensland Jobs – Queensland Government Procurement Strategy 2017 and the Queensland Procurement Policy 2017.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland CEO Stephen Tait said CCIQ welcomed the consultation paper.

“This is a small business-friendly initiative aimed at ensuring that small business employers are given every opportunity to access government-led opportunities,” he said.

“CCIQ is focused on securing outcomes for Queensland’s small businesses, and we will continue to emphasise the importance of transparency and accountability when it comes to government procurement.

“We will work with the government to ensure tangible and genuine procurement outcomes for small businesses as a result of this consultation paper.”

Have your say on the Queensland Small Business Procurement Commitment consultation paper or lodge a submission via email at feedback-desbt@qld.gov.au.