Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Small business support

Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (12:30): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. The October 2022 floods had a devastating impact on caravan parks. Banks will not provide finance to rebuild these small businesses if they are more than halfway through their 21-year lease with the government. Minister, to enable these businesses to access finance to rebuild their businesses, will the government provide them with a new 21-year lease?

Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Youth) (12:31): Thank you for that question. First of all, we have been supporting small businesses and in particular those that have been affected with flood relief programs. Just recently we announced further flood relief grants for affected communities. In relation to the specific question that you have raised, I would be more than happy to raise those issues with the minister in the other place Ingrid Stitt.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, seeking clarification from you, Speaker. On at least five occasions the minister has stated during question time that she and the government are backing small business, and that is exactly what I am asking her to do now – and to answer that question here to let us know now. If she is not going to stick up for small business, who is?

The SPEAKER: Order! That is not a point of order. I rule it out.

Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (12:33): Like other small businesses, caravan park operators are finding it impossible to get insurance. To help resolve this failure in the insurance market, will the minister work with the government, have a strong voice at the cabinet table and have the VMIA step in as the insurer of last resort to ensure caravan parks continue to operate? The Minister for Small Business needs to stick up for small businesses.

Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Youth) (12:33): Thank you for that question. In relation to the specific question, many times I have relayed that to and had conversations with the Assistant Treasurer, who is responsible for that specific matter. Let me say this for the record: we have not stopped supporting small business since the Andrews Labor government was elected. We have invested billions in the last few years to make sure that small businesses are standing and are able to keep their doors open. And let me say, there could be no stronger voice and advocate for small business than the Andrews Labor government.