Tuesday, 14 November 2023

 Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (13:15): I may no longer be the member for Tarneit in this place, but it was great to be back in my old electorate last week with so many small businesses across Truganina and Tarneit. The member for Tarneit and I were joined by the Minister for Small Business at the Little Growling Cafe in Tarneit, where we jointly hosted a business forum. Over two dozen different businesses from right across the two electorates showed up to participate in this forum. It was a great opportunity for them to hear directly from the minister about what opportunities and supports are available to them in order for their businesses to grow and thrive. It was also a chance to hear directly from them about the issues and the challenges that they are facing and how our government can better support them.

One of the key things we did take away from this event is how important it is for small businesses to work together and advocate for their local needs. Until just a few years ago, the main business associations and communities were centred around Werribee and Point Cook. In the last two years alone it has been great to see suburbs like the ones we represent get together and start forming their own business associations, both of which were strongly represented and paid a key role in organising this forum. I certainly look forward to hearing from these associations in the future, and this forum will almost certainly not be the last.