Phillip Di Bella Meets with Queensland Small Business Minister to Advocate for Cafes and Roasters
Brisbane’s coffee entrepreneur and founder of The Coffee Commune, Phil Di Bella, has hailed Queensland’s Small Business Minister, Hon. Steven Minnikin, as a “powerhouse” after a landmark meeting to address the challenges faced by cafes, roasters, and hospitality businesses.
The meeting, held at The Coffee Commune, was attended by Hon. Minnikin, Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business, as well as Deputy Director-General Investment Steven Koch, senior officials, and representatives of the small business community. Over an hour and a half, Di Bella and the Minister discussed key policy priorities, with a focus on reducing bureaucratic hurdles, improving government engagement, and boosting productivity across the sector.
Simplifying Business for Cafes and Roasters
A significant focus of the discussion was on streamlining the permits and approvals process for opening cafes. Currently, operators may face up to 15 different permits, which Di Bella labelled as excessive. Hon. Minnikin assured attendees that he is committed to reducing red tape while maintaining responsible governance.
Di Bella also advocated for better payroll tax structures, reforms to procurement processes, and tangible improvements to government customer service. Minnikin’s “yes if” approach, which prioritises finding solutions rather than creating roadblocks, received high praise from Di Bella.
“If the Minister delivers on his vision, Queensland will become a much more supportive environment for small businesses,” Di Bella said.
A Fresh Approach from the Queensland Government
Di Bella contrasted the current government’s proactive approach with the previous administration, which he claimed was unresponsive to small business concerns.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to see a Minister who is actively engaging with industry,” Di Bella said. “In just four weeks, I’ve been able to secure this meeting, which shows a real commitment to collaboration.”
The Minister shared his intention to improve customer service from government departments and pledged to work closely with industry leaders to ensure policies are effective and impactful.
Looking to 2025
This meeting is part of a broader advocacy effort spearheaded by The Coffee Commune, underpinned by a detailed report developed with its members. The document highlights industry challenges and offers recommendations to support small business growth.
Di Bella confirmed plans for follow-up meetings in early 2025 with Hon. Minnikin, his deputy director-general, and other senior officials to ensure progress continues.
“This isn’t a ‘set and forget’ process,” Di Bella said. “We’ll keep working with all levels of government to make sure small businesses have the support they need to thrive.”
A Message to Small Business Owners
Di Bella also encouraged small business owners to stay engaged and look out for updates on the advocacy efforts led by The Coffee Commune.
“Our community is stronger when we work together,” Di Bella said. “With the Queensland Government now on board, I’m optimistic about what we can achieve for small businesses in 2025 and beyond.”
For more information, visit The Coffee Commune’s website and stay tuned for updates on upcoming initiatives.