Queensland's peak advocate for small business has slammed the creation of the state's first "Small Business Champion".
Maree Adshead was announced as Queensland's Small Business Champion in late December, with Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch saying she would provide the sector with a strong advocate.
The role includes engaging federal and state small business commissioners, providing advice to the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council and chairing the new Better Regulation Taskforce.
The budget for the part-time job is $200,000, which includes administration, travel, contractor payment and other expenses.
An advertisement for the position posted earlier this year stated the role would require about a 10 day per month commitment.
But the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland said the role was a waste of taxpayer money and only added another layer of bureaucracy that removed ministers, government officials and key public service decision-makers from small business, industry and representative bodies.
"Many in the small business community will be scratching their heads in disbelief at the need for the Queensland government to appoint a part-time figurehead to represent their views to government," a CCIQ spokesman said.
The spokesman said the role duplicated the work already being done by several organisations in Queensland.
"Given the role is a part-time position, with no clear metrics or KPIs and without the ability to make decisions, to set policy or to drive outcomes, we will be intrigued to see just what the outcomes will be," he said.
"Small businesses will rightly ask what the point of this role is."
The spokesman questioned where the champion would stand on key issues important to small business, such as lifting the payroll tax exemption threshold, the new Easter Sunday public holiday and building infrastructure.
And he said the role would simply be another layer of filtering between businesses and the government.
"Given the government's opposition to each of those measures - in direct conflict with the wishes of small business - it will be interesting to see just how a Small Business Champion will go about taking the fight to their employer," he said.
The CCIQ opposed the creation of the role in a submission in May 2016.
A spokeswoman for the Small Business Minister said it was disappointing the CCIQ did not welcome the Small Business Champion.
She said since the LNP abolished the Office of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner in mid-2012, Queensland did not have a seat with other commissioners to discuss the national agenda.
"As an industry body, CCIQ cannot fulfil that role," the spokeswoman said.
"This investment by the state government is about creating more successful businesses which will lead to more jobs, more sustainable communities and a stronger Queensland economy."
She said the Champion would complement existing industry advocacy bodies, like the CCIQ, and provide a voice for small business at inter-jurisdictional meetings.
The spokeswoman said Ms Adshead was a respected advocate of business, with more than 20 years' professional experience.
She said the pay package was commensurate with similar positions where a highly capable private sector professional was engaged by government.
The announcement was made in a press release on Friday, December 23, when many workers had already clocked off for the Christmas break.
But the spokeswoman said the announcement was made as soon as possible after the details were finalised.
"The merit based selection process and negotiations were finalised in late December and the announcement was made as soon as practical after Ms Adshead's contract was finalised," the spokeswoman said.
Opposition small business spokesman Scott Emerson said the position was a costly thought bubble.
"Let's spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars hiring a bureaucrat to tell the minister what she should already know," Mr Emerson said.
"The CCIQ is right. Adding another layer of administration between the minister and real business people will do nothing to address issues affecting small business owners."
Looking forward to getting started as the first Queensland Small Business Champion Media Statements https://t.co/C7lMBxXP3e
— Maree Adshead (@MareeAdshead) December 23, 2016
In accepting the role in December, Ms Adshead, who had a legal career and founded a start-up, said it was a privilege.
Ms Adshead has previously held industry roles including establishing and chairing the Technology Council of the CCIQ and chair of the Queensland branch of the Australian Information Industry Association.
"Having built, run and sustained three small businesses, I bring a wealth of empathy about the realities of small businesses," she said at the time.
"My intent is to remain pragmatic and champion only those areas that can make a difference to Queensland small businesses.
"In strong collaboration with industry groups, this role offers small business a stronger voice into the heart of all three levels of government representing Queensland and an accessible channel to affect change for sustained economic growth."
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