Victorian Small Business Commission
Mornington Peninsula's small business owners will have more support when it comes to disputes, with the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) having local mediator Stewart McMullin come on board.
When a small business has a dispute, the VSBC can bring the business owner and the other party together with an independent mediator to talk through the issues confidentially and try to reach an agreement.
Commissioner Judy O'Connell said having another experienced mediator based in the region is a definite win for Mornington Peninsula.
"It's great that small business owners will be able to access more help in resolving their dispute locally without needing to take time away from their business to travel to and from Melbourne," Commissioner O'Connell said.
Somers local Mr McMullin is an accredited mediator who has a lot of experience in resolving a range of disputes, and an ability to see alternative perspectives and help in complex negotiations.
He spoke of his commitment to maintaining fairness, honesty and transparency in each and every mediation he conducts.
"As a mediator and registered psychologist, I'm experienced in building trust and helping parties to manage the stress that comes with conflict, enabling them to determine outcomes," Mr McMullin said.
Commissioner O'Connell said mediation with the VSBC works, as it saves small businesses a lot of money and time.
"They don't have to pay costly legal fees or go through lengthy court proceedings, meaning they can get back to running their businesses quicker," Commissioner O'Connell said.
In 2018–19 the VSBC helped a record 2,074 small businesses to resolve their disputes, achieving a success rate of 82 per cent for completed mediations.
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