Wednesday, 29 November 2023

Small business support

Ella GEORGE (Lara) (19:01): (472) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Small Business, and the action that I seek is for the minister visit with small business owners from the electorate of Lara. The Allan Labor government knows that small businesses are a vital part of our state’s economy. That is why as a government we have some great resources to support small businesses and their owners to develop essential skills and set up a pathway to success. Business Victoria, our Small Business Bus and our business grants are all great examples of this. Across the Geelong region small businesses make up 98 per cent of all businesses in the LGA.

The Lara electorate is the industrial heart of Geelong, and as such we are home to some of the most innovative and dynamic businesses. I know just how important small businesses are to the local community in Lara, creating thousands of jobs across our region. I am looking forward to hosting a small business forum in the electorate in 2024, and as part of this it would be fantastic to have the minister come along and hear from some of the wonderful small businesses across the community. I know it will be a great opportunity for our small business community to hear directly from the minister about what opportunities and supports are available to them and for the minister to hear from them about the opportunities and challenges that they are facing. I look forward to hosting the minister on the visit to meet small business owners in the Lara electorate.