Victoria’s small businesses will now have faster access to services that will help resolve any disputes brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.
The Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) is offering early assistance in disputes over the phone and, and in those cases in which disputes can’t be resolved over the phone, access to a mediation service.
Victorian Small Business Commissioner Judy O’Connell has reported that her office is getting more calls and correspondence from commercial tenants and landlords regarding situations where the tenant is having difficulties paying rent.
“We encourage tenants to first read their lease closely to make sure they understand their rights and obligations and if anything isn’t clear, they should seek legal advice or contact us for help,” O’Connell said. “It’s vital that tenants and landlords communicate as early as possible to try to reach an agreement, and if this fails, they can come to us.”
The VSBC will also provide help to small-business owners who are caught in disputes over goods and services and unpaid invoices, as well as disputes with financial providers and insurers.
“With so many businesses struggling to pay for goods or not being able to supply services that had been agreed to, it’s so important that small-business owners know they can turn to us for help if they find themselves in a dispute,” O’Connell said.
The Victorian Government has pledged to pay all outstanding supplier invoices within 10 business days, and O’Connell has called for big businesses to do the same.
“We’re calling on big businesses to do what is right and pay small-business suppliers as soon as they can, and in instances where this isn’t happening, small-business owners can seek our help,” O’Connell said.
