Thursday, 9 February 2023

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Small business support

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:01): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Steam Coffee Co, a small business in Surrey Hills, is struggling to stay afloat as a result of ongoing delays to level crossing removal works. The small business has not yet received payment from the state government for the free coffee program. Why has the government failed to pay this struggling small business?

Jacinta Allan interjected.

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier will come to order.

Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Youth) (14:02): Thank you very much for that question. As many would know, on this side of the house we are committed to insuring the cost of doing business in Victoria and we are absolutely committed to supporting our small businesses across Victoria. That is why we provide not only the billions and billions of dollars of COVID support but also $6 million in grant programs just this year for small businesses –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I refer you to standing order 58. We have asked a direct question in relation to a small business not being paid, and the minister has not gone anywhere near explaining why this small business has not been paid. Outrageous.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Eureka can leave the chamber for 1 hour.

Member for Eureka withdrew from chamber.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Speaker, the minister is being entirely relevant to the question. She is outlining the number of programs and support that the Andrews Labor government has provided to small business and continues to provide.

The SPEAKER: The minister had only just commenced her answer, and she was providing some context. I ask the minister to come back to answering the question.

Natalie SULEYMAN: I was explaining our support for small businesses in Victoria. Let me say we are also rolling out $47 million worth of business programs, which will provide a rebate for solar system installations, and the Better Approvals for Business program is cutting red tape –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, solar rebates had nothing to do with the question. Can I ask you to draw the minister back to the rebates at issue in the question?

The SPEAKER: Minister, I ask you to be relevant to the question that was asked.

Natalie SULEYMAN: Let me say small businesses in Victoria are an integral part of our local economies, and I am actually quite committed to making sure that we continue with the right programs and support. Let me say that businesses have been paid, and we will continue to talk to relevant businesses that may be affected. The supplementary question to that was I think directed to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:05): Steam Coffee Co has stated:

We are struggling enough because of you, let alone to give out freebies so you can look like heroes.

Will the minister visit this business and apologise?

Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Youth) (14:05): Thank you very much for that question. Let me say that I have already answered the question by saying that the question is directed to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. But I, as the minister, am committed to visiting small business, and I am very happy to do so –

A member interjected.

Natalie SULEYMAN: Exactly. Across the state.