Sky News: Advocating for Small Businesses Amid Queensland Election
This morning, Phillip Di Bella, Managing Director of The Coffee Commune appeared on Sky News Australia to shed light on the struggles faced by small businesses, just 10 days out from the Queensland election. Phillip highlighted the critical issues of payroll tax, procurement practices, and employment challenges to anchor of AM Agenda, Laura Jayes.
With over 460,000 small businesses in Queensland, employing more than a million people, Phillip emphasised that the rising cost of operations is pushing many businesses to the brink. From electricity to insurance, small businesses are facing cost increases across the board, while consumers themselves have less disposable income. In the hospitality sector, Phillip noted, only around 10% of businesses are making a profit—an alarming statistic that demands immediate attention from policymakers.
One of the key issues raised was payroll tax. Phillip highlighted how the current threshold of $1.3 million means even small businesses with just 12 or 13 employees are burdened with this tax, a situation exacerbated by the fact that even unprofitable businesses must still pay. He further pointed out the unfair practice of grouping directorships, where small startups are taxed if the owner already runs another business.
In addition to payroll tax reform, Phillip called for a stronger focus on procurement practices that support local businesses. He pointed to the Brisbane City Council’s policy of ensuring 80% of procurement comes from local businesses, urging the Queensland Government to adopt similar measures. Such policies, along with faster payment terms, would provide crucial support for small businesses trying to compete with multinationals.
Employment challenges were also discussed, with Phillip addressing the smoke and mirrors behind job creation statistics. While numbers may suggest growth, the reality is that businesses, especially in hospitality, are struggling to keep employees due to lower demand. He criticised the limitations on working hours for visa holders and underscored how inflated job numbers do not reflect the true state of the industry.
At The Coffee Commune, our mission remains to help members interpret these figures and build strategies that enable them to thrive, even in tough conditions. We believe that working on your business, rather than just in it, is crucial—and we stand by our members every step of the way.
As we head into the election, Phillip’s message is clear: small businesses need tangible support, not handouts. It’s time for policymakers to step up, recognise the vital role small businesses play in our economy, and implement changes that make a real difference.
NEW RELEASE: Download our app (or members go to our app) to read the newly released paper “Wake up and smell the coffee”. The Coffee Commune is advocating for change on a range of small business policy issues and we have developed this industry paper to highlight the issues we believe are timely and achievable. We will be making some noise in the coming weeks and months to get our voices heard, so watch this space!