Thursday, 18 May 2023

 Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (17:08): (184) During my election campaign I continually talked about the importance of having a seat at the table of a sitting government. Having a seat at the table means I get the opportunity to actually have conversations with ministers to talk about my community – to share the goals and aspirations they talk to me about and to talk about how together we can continue getting things done for my community. So I direct my adjournment debate to the Treasurer. The action I seek is for the Treasurer to come down to my electorate of Hastings to meet and talk with local businesses and stakeholders about what the 2023–24 state budget will deliver for them and the wider community.

In my electorate we have multimillion-dollar international companies right down to small mum-and-dad home businesses and everything in between. They are exciting, innovative, creative and energetic, and best of all, they are part of the rich fabric that makes my electorate so special. Talking with those businesses, they want to know what we can expect from the budget and how it will help them to grow and achieve more. With so much going on in the electorate, especially around the Port of Hastings, my community is eager to see what the future holds. I know they would welcome the Treasurer with open arms and a great locally brewed coffee or perhaps a great snag from Somerville Village Meats on bread, with the onion on top.