May 13, 2025
Cherbourg Council hosted a visit from Brisbane-based State MP Steve Minnikin last week to discuss small business opportunities and digital connectivity in the community.
Mr Minnikin – the Minister for Customer Services and Open Data, and Minister for Small and Family Business – addressed Council and visited Cherbourg’s call centre.
“I am very big when it comes to call centres,” Minister Minnikin said.
“I believe there is a lot of work I would like to do going forward because I am aware it is an award-winning call centre and I believe it is a fantastic pathway going forward.”
Minister Minnikin said digital connectivity and mobile phones were changing the way that government services were delivered, for example, the way driving licences are renewed in NSW.
“There is a range of things that we want to open up that we think could bring more business and more connectivity for your council,” he said.
“And that’s why I am excited to talk about that down the track, more pathways.”
Cherbourg CEO Chatur Zala said the digital transformation provided opportunities for all 17 of Queensland’s discrete Indigenous communities.
“People from Kowanyama could be working for a company in Sydney from home,” he said.
Minister Minnikin also presented Council with a copy of the State Government’s new “Small Business First Blueprint”.
