"This is a landmark occasion for small business in Western Australia," Mr O'Brien said.

"The Liberal-National Government is committed to making doing business in WA easier for small business, and this is another step in that direction.

"One of the main functions of the commissioner, under the amended Small Business Development Corporation Act, will be to receive and investigate complaints about unfair market practices affecting small business, and to provide help to resolve those complaints.

"The commissioner will head up the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and increase its service provisions to include a low cost, non-litigious alternative dispute resolution service for small business operators.

"Currently when faced with a commercial dispute the first resort is the courts; the State Government is confident the small business community will embrace a low cost alternative."

Mr Eaton has considerable experience of small business; he spent seven years as a small business owner, before moving to Australia Post where he worked his way up the ladder becoming the National Manager Commercial Services.

Commencing January 17, the commissioner will head up the Small Business Development Corporation. One of his first tasks will be visiting the regions to speak with small business operators and ensuring all businesses are aware of the service, and how to access it.

"I am looking forward to working with the small business community in Western Australia. I acknowledge that this sector of the community faces unique challenges, but I am also confident that the SBDC will continue to help small business take advantages of the fantastic opportunities that the current and future Western Australian business environment does and will provide," Mr Eaton said.