The Small Business Advisory Committee (SBAC) will be responsible for reviewing and providing advice to the Government on regulatory proposals that have a significant impact on small business.
The Committee will be independent of the government and will be comprised of members who have extensive experience with small business.
It will enhance the way the Government consults with small businesses so their voice will be heard in the Government’s decision making. The SBAC will not replace the detailed consultation that relevant agencies need to undertake on any policy proposal. The SBAC will provide guidance to those agencies and ultimately comment on any Regulatory Impact Statement that is developed.
The SBAC will take the form of a panel. The panel members will be engaged by Dr Craig Emerson, Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy to conduct specific reviews for a fee (comparable to specified part-time office positions paid for under the Remuneration Tribunal Determination). Members of the SBAC will have the necessary expertise to undertake assessments across the broad range of small business areas that the Regulatory Impact Statements may cover.
Ad hoc appointments may be made for specific issues that cannot be covered by any member of the SBAC.
A Secretariat for the SBAC will be located in the Department of Innovation.
The SBAC will meet once a year to advise the Department of Innovation on any systemic issues arising in light of their experience with reviews.
Expression of Interest
Suitably qualified individuals were invited to submit an Expression of Interest for Ministerial appointment to the SBAC.
The call for Expressions of Interest to the SBAC was backed by a national advertising campaign.Â
Expressions of Interest closed on Friday 14 August 2009.
Minister Emerson is expected to make an announcement on the composition of the SBAC in early 2010.
For enquiries, please email the SBAC Secretariat.
Email: SBACsecretariat@innovation.gov.au