The NSW Government announced today [2 June] that it had started the recruitment process to appoint a Small Business Commissioner.

The Small Business Commissioner role will protect the rights of small businesses by providing a simple, low-cost dispute-resolution mechanism.

The functions of the Small Business Commissioner will be to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for small business complaints about unfair market practices and taking a whole-of-government approach to working to ensure a focus on “small business friendly” market practices.

An important role of the Commissioner would be to monitor and report to the Small Business Minister on any emerging trends in market practices that have an impact on small businesses, and review the legislative and administrative environment in NSW and advocating for the needs of small business to be properly factored in to the practices of Government.

Advertisements for this key position will appear in major national and NSW newspapers.

Applications for the position can be made online at www.jobs.nsw.gov.au, closing on 19 June, 2011.

See media release: NSW Trade and Investment website