Advocacy
Overview of 2021 The Commissioner maintains that a strong small business sector is vital to the health of the NSW economy and local communities. To that end, the Commission seeks to stand up for the interests of small businesses when they are being treated unfairly or when circumstances justify that they should receive additional support.
The Commission also continued to work on longer term advocacy projects, such as reform to the electronic payments system to ensure small businesses receive fair treatment. The Commission made formal submissions to 14 reviews of laws and regulations impacting small businesses.
Advocacy Achievements in 2021
The role of advocacy can be as simple as representing a small business that has not been paid on time and as complex as multi-year efforts to effect a change in legislation or the development of a new industry code of practice.
• Advocated for and secured $5,000 hardship grants and other support for businesses affected by localised COVID-19 restrictions in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, through the Commission’s Northern Beaches Report
The Commission is an influential voice in debates over policies and practices impacting small business. While the Commission has certain powers under the Small Business Commissioner Act, the influence of the office derives mostly from its history of providing independent, informed and balanced advice.
• Secured an extension of the COVID commercial leasing regulations to help small businesses negotiate rent relief with their landlord
That advice was called for frequently in 2021 to support small businesses hit hard by the outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID and the associated public health restrictions. The Commission was involved in the development of many support measures, working with the NSW Government and industry bodies.
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• Secured changes to the NSW public health orders that required amusement and play centres to close during lockdown
• Through the Commission’s work on the Agritourism Pilot Program, laid the groundwork for 2021 planning changes by the NSW Government that made it easier for farms to set up agritourism businesses • Worked successfully with the ATO to implement a change to ANZIC codes to allow businesses with an ABN to register up to four additional business activities, making it easier for them to access government support • Made it easier to register for the NSW Government’s Faster Payment Terms, leading to the addition of 10,000 more small businesses • Advocated for and contributed to improvements to the Delta lockdown business assistance package • Successfully advocated for temporary measures allowing low-risk licensed venues, restaurants and cafes to permanently offer delivery and take away liquor
NSW Small Business Commissioner Year in Review 2021
