The announcement of a new procurement policy and grants targeting security has reaffirmed the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to back our small and family businesses, according to Member for Burdekin Dale Last.

This week the Crisafulli Government announced Round 2 of the Secure Communities Partnership Program with small and family businesses encouraged to apply for funding to boost security and deter criminal activity on their businesses. The announcement follows a $35 billion shake-up of Queensland’s procurement policy putting local, small and family businesses at the fore.

Mr Last said more than 200 registered small businesses in the Burdekin would join others in Queensland as the key focus of how government buys goods and services from January 2026 onwards.

“The overhaul of Queensland’s procurement process will mean no matter where your small business is located in Queensland you can get on with winning work, not wading through paperwork,” Mr Last said.

“We want to see our small businesses at the front of the queue when it comes to government procurement, that’s why as part of the Crisafulli Government’s overhaul of the policy we have implemented a 30 per cent small and medium enterprise participation target for government contracts.”

“Small businesses are at the heart of our regional towns and when they can thrive in their services we see the flow on affects in our wider community, from the sponsorships they provide our sporting clubs to the support they offer at our major events.”

Mr Last said the round two opening of the Crisafulli Government’s Secure Communities Partnership Program went further in providing small and family businesses a hand up when they needed it most.

“When small business is impacted by crime the costs can be devastating not only for the owner left to clean up but the potential job losses that can follow,” Mr Last said.

“The Securing Communities Partnership Program offers small businesses grant funding to install alarm systems or CCTV, improve entry management and enable the purchase of physical security items such as lockable display cases.”

“The Crisafulli Government is not taking its foot off the pedal when it comes to tackling crime in this state and we know there is plenty more to be done. The Burdekin has already benefitted from additional crime deterring measures with the recent announcement of six new CCTV cameras installed in the CBD under the first round of the program.”

“Making these additional security measures more readily available to our small businesses means we are able to tackle crime from every angle, from empowering our frontline police to helping those at the heart of our community invest in additional security measures.”

For more information visit Secure Communities Partnership Program | Business Queensland