Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Small business support

Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (12:37): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. In the government’s economic growth statement announced on 10 December, the minister stated:

We’re cutting unnecessary red tape for small businesses in Victoria …

Specifically, what red tape for small business has the minister and this government cut?

Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business and Employment, Minister for Youth) (12:38): I thank the member for that question in relation to supporting small business and of course reducing red tape so it makes it easier for businesses in Victoria to actually do business. And the member quoted correctly. As part of our economic growth statement it sets out practical support and steps for businesses and in particular our government to back small business, cutting that red tape, building new skills and reaching out to every community in Victoria. That includes businesses, and we know –

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, I know the minister is reading the notes that the Premier just wrote for her, but we are asking specifically what has been cut red tape wise by the minister.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Natalie SULEYMAN: I know that they are not interested in supporting small business on the other side of this chamber. When talking about supporting small business, we only hear the other side talk small business down in this state. Let me repeat what we will be doing when it comes to reducing red tape for small businesses. One example is reducing and streamlining liquor licensing, which will save small businesses $7000 straight into their pockets. That is exactly what small businesses have been telling us. Let me tell the chamber that when it comes to supporting small business and reducing red tape, on this side we have been visiting so many small businesses face to face, talking about the issues and the challenges that they are facing. Whether that is visiting small businesses or hosting forums for small businesses, on this side of the chamber we will continue to –

Sam Groth: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question asked what red tape is being cut.

The SPEAKER: If the member for Nepean had not been interjecting across the table, he may have been able to hear the minister’s response. I was having trouble hearing. I do believe the minister was being relevant to the question.

Natalie SULEYMAN: As I have just clearly stated for the chamber and for the member, we will be reducing red tape, and that includes for liquor licensing, planning permits and –

Bridget Vallence: On a different point of order, Speaker, on relevance, over six months ago the minister said they were cutting red tape.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Natalie SULEYMAN: As I have indicated to the house, part of the red tape reduction supporting small business includes the liquor licensing, which is saving small businesses $7000 each year. There are a number of other measures, which include planning permits and outdoor dining as well, saving costs and reducing red tape.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order on the question of relevance, Speaker, the minister seems to be unaware that liquor licensing approvals blew out by 50 per cent last year.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Natalie SULEYMAN: As I said, we will be saving businesses up to $7000 and of course reducing time – up to six months earlier – when it comes to reducing red tape. On top of that, there is an additional $14 million allocated to the BAF to be able to support projects and streamline the processes. We know when it comes to supporting small businesses time and money are an absolutely critical part in making sure that business continues to receive support and thrive in this state.

Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (12:43): Business insolvencies in Victoria have increased by 19 per cent in the March quarter, and small businesses are subjected to the highest taxes in the country. Why is this Labor government making Victorian small businesses pay for a decade of debt, deception and financial mismanagement?

Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business and Employment, Minister for Youth) (12:43): I reject the premise of the question. When it comes to supporting small business on this side of the chamber, we continue to see record – let me repeat, record ‍– creation, and that includes over 124 businesses set up just last year, when it comes to creating small business. On this side of the chamber, we continue to support small business and talk up supporting businesses, whether that is reducing red tape or whether that is providing the right tools and training for small businesses so they can work through some of the changing dimensions when it comes to doing business in Victoria. On this side, we will continue to support small business, and what I encourage the other side of the chamber to do, instead of talking business down in this state, is support small business in Victoria.