Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983

Subject to the general direction and control of the Minister the Corporation shall administer this Act.

The Corporation has the following functions —

to take such steps and do such acts and things as are necessary for the promotion and development of small business and to provide assistance for the establishment, development and carrying on of small business throughout the State;

of its own motion, to make representations, to tender advice and make reports to the Minister on any matter or thing relating to, or affecting small business or the operation of this Act;

at the request of the Minister to investigate any matter affecting small business referred to it by the Minister and to report to the Minister thereon;

to establish and maintain liaison between associations or groups of people representing or servicing small business and the Government of the State;

to provide financial assistance, grants and operational funding under section 11AA;

to investigate, and report to the Minister on, the impact on small business of legislation and government policy of this jurisdiction, the Commonwealth or any other State or Territory;

to investigate, and report to the Minister on, the actions of public sector bodies that affect the commercial activities of small businesses;

to assist public sector bodies —

to develop legislation, policies and administrative procedures that take into account the interests of small business; and

to improve the capacity of small business to comply with legislative and other requirements; and

to simplify and minimise small business compliance requirements;

to facilitate and encourage the fair treatment of small businesses in their commercial dealings with other businesses in the marketplace;

to investigate, and report to the Minister on, emerging trends in market practice that have an adverse effect on small business;

to provide to any person, association or group of people an advisory and administrative service for, or in connection with the establishment, carrying on, expansion and development of any small business;

to arrange and co‑ordinate training, educational and skill development programmes for small business;

to promote informed decision making by small businesses;

to assist small businesses to operate in ways that minimise disputes with other businesses;

to establish and maintain an information centre containing a comprehensive selection of literature, manuals, brochures, audio visual material, technical data, business profiles and the like;

to carry out research and to publish and distribute information, technical data and the like for the guidance of small business;

to engage the services of suitable consultants where appropriate to provide surveys, technical data, statistics, professional opinions or other information for the purposes of this Act;

to counsel small business on the availability of finance and the means of obtaining financial assistance;

to promote public awareness of the importance of matters relating to the activities of small business and to inform the public concerning the value of sound business practice.

The Corporation has power to do all things necessary or convenient for or in connection with the performance of its functions and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, may —

raise fees or charges with respect to the provision of services or the performance of any work by, or on behalf of, the Corporation; and

own, lease, rent or otherwise acquire suitable premises or accommodation for its staff, records and facilities; and

enter into contracts or other arrangements.