SMALL BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Mackay Voices Drive State Action

By Amanda Wright

Mackay’s small business sector took centre stage last week as Queensland’s Small and Family Business Minister Steve Minnikin visited the region, delivering a clear message: the State Government is listening—and acting.

Speaking at a Mackay Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Minister Minnikin acknowledged the unique pressures facing regional enterprises, from soaring electricity bills to securing skilled workers and navigating government bureaucracy. Drawing on his own background as a small business owner, he stressed that his department was committed to making life easier for entrepreneurs.

“My core message is that the government is deeply committed to helping small businesses not just survive, but thrive in Queensland,” he said, reinforcing the rollout of a new “small business friendly” policy.

Electricity and insurance costs were among the first issues raised by the local business community.

“My question is around the cost to small business around electricity and insurance. We know that that is a burden on us succeeding in small business,” one attendee said. In response, Minister Minnikin cited a $1.6 billion electricity maintenance guarantee included in the latest State Budget.

“We’ve made it very, very clear that we are absolutely always on the look out for renewables, but nothing will replace cheap, reliable, affordable, baseline energy for business,” he said.

The workforce shortage in Mackay was another hot topic. One business owner described the hurdles of accessing skilled labour through temporary visa programs: “We rely heavily on the temporary visa pieces... it brings good skilled workers, regional jobs.” However, they said steep fees and red tape were becoming prohibitive.

Bureaucracy and "red tape" also came under fire from business owners frustrated by government processes.

Minister Minnikin shared his own recent struggles navigating real estate licence renewals, calling red tape his "number one issue." He urged attendees to provide examples of specific issues to his office or the Small Business Commissioner, saying, “Help us help you.”

The visit also included a more intimate roundtable, co-hosted by Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton, with successful recipients of Round 6 of the Business Basics Grant program—a $7,500 boost for small businesses seeking to expand their capabilities and embrace innovation.

“What stood out immediately was the remarkable representation of women leading these small businesses,” Mr Dalton said.

“These women not only shared their journeys of juggling life, families, and responsibilities, but also how the Business Basics Grant will help them take their business to the next level.”

Among the grant recipients were Empower Health and Physiotherapy, Lilaco Designs, Yarbun Creations, Greater Whitsunday Innovation, Mind Psyence, Ignite You, Rna Electrical Services, Odin Physiotherapy, Absolutely 4 Kids, and Imagin8 Studio.

The visit highlighted not just the challenges but also the resilience, innovation, and determination of Mackay’s small business community.

As Minister Minnikin summed up: “When we're making decisions, there has to be a lens through the lens of small and family business.”

With over half a million small businesses contributing $131 billion to the Queensland economy and employing 1.2 million people, that lens is set to stay sharply focused.

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Minister Steve Minnikin with Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton and Chamber sponsors at the Mackay Chamber of Commerce breakfast, held at The Dispensary

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