Small business advocacy

The role of the Small Business Advocate is to provide support to assist small business owners resolve issues with government departments, local councils and larger business entities.

While regulation is inescapable and can play an important role in fostering a strong, stable and consistent economic environment, small businesses may have attributes and circumstances that make their compliance with regulations different or more difficult compared to larger entities.

Small businesses may not have the systems necessary to capture information to meet reporting requirements set by different government agencies.  Most importantly, small business operators are often time poor, trying to juggle operating their business, managing a family and still meeting complex regulatory obligations.

This is why the position of Small Business Advocate was formalised within the Office of the Coordinator–General with Stuart Clues representing the role.

The Small Business Advocate works to create a more level playing field and assist small business in trying to resolve disputes with larger businesses, state government agencies and local councils.

Within this expanded role the Small Business Advocate provides a single point of contact for small business to help resolve issues that get in the way of their efficiency and success.

Significant inroads have already been made in reducing the regulatory burden on small business and the wider community as detailed in the most recent Tasmanian Red Tape Audit Report available from the Office of the Coordinator-General’s website.

Issues faced by small business can be both macro and micro in nature and sometimes a guiding hand can help.

Advice and services provided by the Advocate could cover structural issues such as regulatory hurdles, complex planning systems through to narrower red tape issues that often relate to small industry sectors and individuals such as government permits and approvals.

The Advocate firmly believes that, with a little insight and advice, the frustration of what seems like insurmountable red tape can be worked through and resolved.

Any business encountering red tape or other hurdles relating to their business can contact the:

Small Business Advocate at stuart.clues@cg.tas.gov.au or on 0438 319 753.