The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) welcome the Queensland Government's continued commitment to retail and small business safety through Round 2 of the $40 million Secure Communities Partnership Program - a practical investment to help small and family-run retailers deter crime and protect their teams.
The Crisafulli Government's announcement delivers up to $20,000 in funding for eligible small and family businesses to strengthen security measures such as CCTV, alarm systems, duress alarms, digital access controls, improved lighting, and lockable fixtures - a vital step in restoring community safety and giving retailers the tools they need to protect their livelihoods.
ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown said the measures demonstrate forward-thinking and practical action.
"We commend the Queensland Government for a proactive, solutions-based approach to retail crime. This is the kind of practical support that makes a real difference on the ground," she said.
"Many small and family-run retailers don't always have the resources to invest in advanced safety measures - this program helps ensure businesses, large and small, can better protect their staff and customers."
Ms Brown said the funding has broader law enforcement and community safety benefits.
"This isn't just helping small businesses - it's helping police gather the evidence to keep repeat offenders out of stores and off the streets. We know from Auror research that 10 per cent of individuals commit around 60 per cent of all retail offending. Targeting those chronic offenders is critical to reducing violence and theft in the long term."
Queensland has made strong progress in addressing violent offending in retail settings, including through Jack's Law, which gives police power to detect and remove weapons from public areas, and the Respect at Work laws, which strengthen penalties for workplace assaults.
"Queensland has already taken important steps to make retail safer - but it can go even further," Ms Brown said. "The gold standard we're seeing in other states includes Workplace Protection Orders and dedicated retail crime taskforces. These measures are working and we look forward to continuing to build on this progress with the Queensland Government."
Round 2 of the Secure Communities Partnership Program includes:
- Up to $20,000 in funding for eligible small and family businesses to upgrade security
- Support for alarms, CCTV, motion sensors, digital locks, lighting, and physical barriers
- $10 million total funding in this round, including $2 million for small businesses and $8 million for councils from early 2026
The retail sector employs more than 1.4 million Australians, including hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders - many of them young people, women and casual staff who deserve to feel safe at work.
