As someone who’s owned and run a small business, I know firsthand how tough it can be to deal with layers of red tape, complicated rules, and systems that seem built to keep you out instead of helping you grow.
That’s why the Crisafulli Government’s new Queensland Procurement Policy 2026 is such a game changer especially for small and family businesses across Far North Queensland.
For years under Labor, local businesses struggled to break through the bureaucracy. Contracts too often went to big companies from outside the region, leaving FNQ operators watching from the sidelines while millions of dollars flowed out of our communities.
The new procurement policy is the biggest overhaul of government purchasing in decades. It makes it simpler, fairer, and easier for Queensland businesses to win their share of the State’s $35 billion annual spend—and that means more jobs, more confidence, and more opportunity right here in FNQ.
Key improvements include:
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A 30% target to ensure small and medium Queensland businesses are front and centre in government contracts.
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An Australian-first focus on veteran-owned and veteran-supporting businesses, recognising their skills and service.
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Greater opportunities for female-led, Indigenous, and disability-supporting businesses.
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A new public portal to make government spending more transparent.
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The permanent removal of Labor’s costly Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC)—cutting billions in waste and getting rid of over 700 pages of red tape.
For FNQ, this is about local jobs and local growth. From Cairns to the Tablelands, Innisfail to the Cape, more businesses will now have the chance to bid for—and win—government work.
That means more local suppliers being used, more apprentices getting a start, and more investment staying in our communities instead of heading south.
It’s a huge win for the builders, tradies, suppliers, and service providers who have done it tough over the years. The new policy gives them the fair go they deserve—less paperwork, less frustration, and more opportunity to grow.
This is about backing Queenslanders—especially those who’ve built their livelihoods from the ground up. It’s about rewarding hard work, supporting local jobs, and making sure regional businesses get their fair share.
After years of hardship and neglect under Labor, this new policy delivers real hope and a genuine fresh start for Far North Queensland businesses.
It’s a clear sign that the Crisafulli Government is listening, acting, and delivering, creating a stronger economy and a better lifestyle for every Queenslander.
