The Crisafulli Queensland government is backing small and family businesses, despite cost pressures resulting from international conflict and poor decisions coming out of Canberra, according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP.

“Just like households, our small and family businesses are feeling the squeeze of increased prices, but they are also bearing the brunt of the Albanese government’s tax and fee changes,” Mr Last said.  “Those small and family businesses are the backbone of our community, and the Queensland government is focussed on doing what we can to help them succeed and grow.”

“WorkCover is vital in supporting workers who suffer injury or illness due to their employment, but it is a system that is burdened by fraud, and it has lost focus on helping people return to work.  Our review showed premiums would increase by another 26% over the next five years if nothing was done.”

“Small business would have no choice but to pass that cost onto consumers and, for some, that increase would mean they would go out of business.  We could not simply stand-by and watch consumers slugged with higher costs and business owners see their dreams crumble before their eyes.”

“By strengthening medical expertise within WorkCover we can ensure the scheme keeps pace with changing claim types and help people with genuine claims get the treatment they need and return to work quicker.  That increased expertise will also mean we can crack down on fraud regardless of whether it is an insurer not complying with scheme rules or people rorting the system,”

Mr Last said the Crisafulli government was also taking action on crime prevention for small business by providing additional funding and expanding eligibility for the popular Secure Communities Partnership Program.

“Damage to premises and stolen stock or tools causes an increase in costs for consumers and can be the final straw for small business,” he said.  “We have also increased eligibility because we know crime also has a dire impact on tradies and mobile businesses.”

“Up to $20,000 is available to help businesses upgrade security regardless of whether it is a bricks and mortar business or a tradie operating from their ute or van.  Where businesses in an area come together to tackle crime, up to $200,000 is available to support them.”

“We have already seen the scheme support many businesses across the Burdekin and the changes mean that more businesses are now eligible.”

“The Crisafulli government has no control over international conflicts or Canberra’s cash grab.  What we are doing is taking real action to deliver improved certainty and security for the small and family business who employ locals and support our local community.”