July Open Meeting

‘Creating a level playing field for small businesses’

We are very pleased to have Judy O’Connell, Victorian Small Business Commissioner, deliver a keynote presentation at our July Open Meeting.

Join us to learn more of the 4 key functions of the VSBC :-

• Advocacy – advocating on issues affecting small businesses and their operating environment
• Engagement – connecting with the small business community to promote VSBC services and encourage informed decision making
• Monitoring – monitoring the impact of market trends, legislation and government policies on small business
• Dispute resolution – continuing to provide an efficient and low cost small business dispute resolution service.

By way of a little back ground …

Judy has extensive public sector experience working with small businesses, with a public service career of over 30 years.  She comes from a family of small business owners – both her father and two sisters operate their own businesses.

In December 2016, Judy commenced as the Victorian Small Business Commissioner, where she advocates to make sure Victorian small businesses have a fair and competitive environment whilst running their business.  Judy also manages the quick, low cost dispute resolution service for small business.

The Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) aims to create a fair and competitive environment for Victorian small business to operate, grow and prosper through its four functions – advocacy, dispute resolution monitoring and engagement.  It arranges confidential, low cost, quick and effective mediation of disputes, under the guidance of an independent mediator.  Many disputes referred to the VSBC are resolved at no cost to either party through early engagement by experienced Dispute Management Officers.

The VSBC is an independent, statutory office established to enhance a competitive and fair operating environment for Victorian small business to operate, grow and prosper.

Judy’s presentation will, no doubt, be an informative and rewarding experience – one that we should all be part of.