Small Business Commissioner search under way

The State Government has started a national search for the new Small Business Commissioner of Western Australia, following the successful passage of legislation to create the new statutory role.

Small Business Minister Simon O'Brien said the Small Business Commissioner would function from within the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and replace the existing position of managing director.

"The Government is looking for an individual of the highest standards, with the capacity to lead and develop a thriving small business sector across the State," Mr O'Brien said.

"One of the commissioner's main roles will be to institute a new service to receive and deal with complaints about retail tenancy disputes, unfair market practices between businesses and the activities of Government agencies, where they adversely impact on small business."

Amendments to the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983 and the Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreement Act 1985 have enabled the establishment of a Small Business Commissioner.

The Minister said that although based on the successful Victorian model, the Western Australian commissioner would have additional educative, advisory, investigative and mediation responsibilities, together with the existing advocacy and policy functions of the SBDC, representing a significant enhancement to the role.