Small Business Development Corporation Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2022 (WA)

Western Australia

Small Business Development Corporation Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2022

Western Australia

Small Business Development Corporation Amendment (COVID-19 Response) Act 2022 Contents

Western Australia

Small Business Development Corporation Amendment (COVID‑19 Response) Act 2022

Small Business Development Corporation Amendment (COVID‑19 Response) Act 2022

No. 4 of 2022

An Act to amend the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983.

[Assented to 21 March 2022]

The Parliament of Western Australia enacts as follows:

1.Short title

This is the Small Business Development Corporation Amendment (COVID‑19 Response) Act 2022.

2.Commencement

This Act comes into operation as follows —

• (a)

  sections 1 and 2 — on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent;

• (b)

  the rest of the Act — on the day after that day.

3.Act amended

This Act amends the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1983.

4.Long title replaced

Delete the long title and insert:

An Act —

to establish a Small Business Development Corporation and Small Business Commissioner; and

to encourage, promote, facilitate and assist the establishment, development and carrying on of small business in the State; and

to enhance a competitive and fair operating environment for small business in the State; and

to empower the Corporation to give financial assistance, grants and operational funding in relation to small businesses; and

to provide alternative dispute resolution services in respect of small business disputes and disputes referred under any other Act; and

for related matters.

5.Section 11 amended

• (1)

  Delete section 11(2)(e) and insert:

   
  • (e)

    to provide financial assistance, grants and operational funding under section 11AA;

     
• (2)

  In section 11(3):

  • (a)

    in paragraph (b) delete “facilities.” and insert:

     

  facilities; and

   
  • (b)

    after paragraph (b) insert:

     
  • (c)

    enter into contracts or other arrangements.

     
• (3)

  Delete section 11(4).

6.Section 11AA inserted

After section 11 insert:

11AA. Financial assistance, grants and operational funding in relation to small businesses

• (1)

  The Corporation may —

  • (a)

    give financial assistance and grants to small businesses in accordance with any guidelines made under subsection (2); and

  • (b)

    in accordance with the guidelines made under subsection (3) —

    • (i)

      give financial assistance, grants and operational funding to non‑government organisations working with, or on behalf of, small businesses; and

    • (ii)

      give financial assistance and grants to persons who are not small businesses for the purposes of financially benefitting small businesses;

  and

  • (c)

    without limiting section 11(3)(c), enter into a contract or other arrangement with a person who is to be given financial assistance, a grant or operational funding under paragraph (a) or (b) in relation to that financial assistance, grant or operational funding.

• (2)

  The Corporation may make guidelines with respect to the provision of financial assistance or grants under subsection (1)(a).

• (3)

  The Corporation must make guidelines with respect to the provision of financial assistance, grants or operational funding under subsection (1)(b).

• (4)

  The Corporation may amend or revoke guidelines made under subsection (2) or (3).

• (5)

  The Corporation must publish guidelines made under subsection (2) or (3), or amended under subsection (4), on the Corporation’s website.

   

7.Section 19 amended

After section 19(3)(b) insert:

• (ba)

  to pay the financial assistance, grants or operational funding given under section 11AA(1);