Tuesday, 4 February 2025

 Annabelle CLEELAND (Euroa) (14:48): (952) My question is for the Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs. How many businesses have closed across the Euroa region in the past 12 months? Across my region we are seeing an alarming trend: shops and businesses are closing at a concerning rate. This is happening in towns that this government itself earmarked for growth. These communities should be seeing investment and opportunity but instead their main streets are lined with ‘For lease’ signs. The latest ABS data confirms this decline, with Heathcote, Benalla, Seymour and the Kilmore-Broadford area all reporting fewer businesses than last year. In Benalla alone there was a loss of 36 ‍businesses just in the past year. Just last Friday I met with Heathcote business owners, and half of them told me they are either shutting up or going interstate because operating in Victoria is impossible. The reasons are clear. Skyrocketing WorkCover costs, an ever-increasing tax burden imposed by a financially incompetent government and the growing impact of crime are taking a serious toll on businesses. Again and again these business owners say the government is not listening.