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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-04-04 Daily Xml
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SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSIONER

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Can the Minister for Small Business inform the house about the Office of the Small Business Commissioner mediation panel?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:59): I thank the member for his question and his keen interest in the Small Business Commissioner. The Office of the Small Business Commissioner is now up and running and, to assist with mediation between business disputes, a panel of specialist mediators has been appointed. The open public tender for the services opened on 21 November 2011 and closed on 21 December 2011. Seven applications were received and reviewed by the mediation selection panel which consisted of members from DMITRE, the Office of the Small Business Commissioner and the Courts Administration Authority. The tender panel deliberated within the approved DMITRE Accredited Procurement Unit framework.

Six shortlisted applicants were invited to an interview to discuss aspects of their tender. The panel report was then submitted to the Accredited Procurement Unit chair for consideration. I am pleased to announce to the house the successful panel members for the initial panel of external mediators for the Office of the Small Business Commissioner. They are Beckmann & Associates, Ian Nosworthy of Nosworthy Partners, SG Law Pty Ltd and Stella Personnel Pty Ltd.

Mediation will cost $195 per party, per session. It is worth noting that the commissioner's office will endeavour to resolve disputes before formal mediation is called upon. This will involve investigating claims by businesses, educating businesses on their responsibilities and other powers assigned to the commission under the act.

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner has been very active since opening. In fact, I am advised that the Small Business Commissioner and his team actually resolved a dispute between two businesses on their very first day of operations without the need for formal mediation. I encourage all members to inform their business constituents about this new office and I again call upon the opposition to finally admit that they got it wrong and throw their full support behind the Small Business Commissioner. People can call 1800 072 722 or visit www.sasbc.sa.gov.au.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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