Chamber of Commerce Newsletter – May 2025
Federal Election
Congratulations to Angie Bell on retaining her seat of Moncrieff and to Leon Rebello on winning the seat of McPherson in the weekend’s Federal election! Wishing you both every success as you represent your communities and work towards a strong and vibrant future.
Queensland Small Business Month
The Crisafulli Government is backing Queensland small and family businesses to promote opportunities to Recharge, Renew and Rebuild during Queensland Small Business Month.
There is a series of events including What is my bottom line telling me financial literacy workshops and Business Recovery Clinics in disaster affected areas, as well as Big Partners for Small Business and Business Concierge Presents. These events are specifically designed to give small and family businesses the tools they need to thrive.
These events will tackle local challenges, spark new local opportunities, and help small and family businesses to network and grow. Included are daily online mentoring sessions with topics such as ‘Cyber Safety’, ‘Simple tips to improve your online presence’, ‘Payroll tax for groups of businesses’ & ‘ATO Masterclass’, just to name a few.
Visit our website Business events calendar | Business Queensland for full details.
Small and family businesses are often the mainstay of our communities. Strengthening their connections fosters a sense of belonging and helps tackle local challenges head-on.
Trust Laws
The Trusts Bill 2025 was passed in Parliament last week modernising Queensland legislation. The Trusts Bill 2025 will replace the current, half-century-old Trusts Act 1973, with simplified legislation that removes obsolete provisions to better reflect community standards. The Bill provides trustees with broad powers to deal with trust property, as well as imposing new minimum statutory requirements on trustees to exercise care, diligence and skill when managing trust property.
It also deals with a range of important matters, including restrictions on the appointment, discharge, and removal of trustees. The Act will commence on a day yet to be proclaimed, allowing for sufficient lead in time before the new provisions take effect.
Adult Crime Adult Time
New police data shows police made more than 4,200 youth arrests and laid more than 18,000 charges on youth offenders during the first quarter of 2025. Police also seized more than 100 deadly weapons as part of Jack’s Law, with more than 12,000 wandings from January to the end of March. Gold Coast figures show 1594 Youth charges & 321 youth arrests.
Inquiry into Building & Construction sector to commence
The Inquiry is the first order of business for the Queensland Productivity Commission, after the Commissioner was formally appointed last week. The Terms of Reference require the Commission to investigate and report on conditions in the residential and non-residential construction sectors and examine policy and regulatory factors affecting productivity of this important industry. The ongoing housing shortage and the government’s large capital investment program, including the delivery of Brisbane 2032 infrastructure, means lifting construction productivity is more important than ever.
As part of the Inquiry, the Commission will undertake wide public consultation with stakeholders, including industry peak bodies, unions, construction businesses, and regulatory bodies. The Commission is required to deliver a report to the Government within six months.
As always, if you have any State issues you would like to discuss with me, don’t hesitate to contact my office.
Ph: (07) 5600 0100
Email: mermaid.beach@parliament.qld.gov.au
Address: 1/2434 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, 4218, QLD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raystevens.mp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raystevens.mp
Cheers Ray Stevens MP
