What happens: The Victorian Government has rejected a recommendation from the Independent Review of the Victorian Public Service to abolish the Victorian Small Business Commission and transfer its functions to VCAT.
Why this is important: The decision to retain this scheme demonstrates the Government’s recognition that specialist agencies provide clear value in meeting the needs of small businesses, especially where disputes require early, practical help and sector-specific guidance.
The Victorian Government has opted to retain the Victorian Small Business Commission despite a recommendation from the Silver Review to abolish the agency, a decision welcomed by the Council of Small Business Organizations Australia.
The Independent Review of the Victorian Public Service, known as the Silver Review, proposed abolishing the Victorian Small Business Commission and transferring its functions to VCAT. The Victorian Government has rejected this recommendation.
COSBOA chairman Matthew Addison said the decision ensures Victorian small businesses continue to have access to a dedicated, specialist body designed to provide practical support when disputes arise.
“The Victorian Small Business Commission provides fast, accessible and affordable dispute resolution, tailored to the needs of small businesses,” Addison said. “Keeping the Commission in place will maintain a support system that will help prevent problems from escalating and allow businesses to stay focused on their operations.”
Addison said COSBOA has long supported the role of specialist commissioners for small businesses across Australia, and reiterated the importance of retaining independent, specific expertise for small businesses.
“Small businesses often need early, practical help when disputes arise. A general tribunal cannot always provide the same level of sector-specific guidance or responsiveness to resolve issues quickly and fairly,” he said.
“This decision provides certainty to Victorian small businesses and maintains an important mechanism designed to keep commercial relationships on track.”
The value of specialist support
COSBOA’s position focuses on the distinction between specialized agencies and general tribunals in addressing the needs of small businesses. The organization says small businesses benefit from dedicated support structures that understand their specific challenges and can respond quickly to prevent disputes from escalating.
COSBOA thanked the Victorian Government for considering small business concerns raised during the review process and reaffirmed its commitment to working with state governments to strengthen small business support structures.
For Victorian small businesses, the decision provides continuity in access to dispute resolution services specifically tailored to their needs. The committee will continue to operate as a specialized body focused on providing practical assistance in disputes.
The retention of the VSBC following stakeholder feedback during the review process demonstrates that business concerns have been taken into account in government decision-making.
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