Tuesday, 12 August 2025

 Natalie SULEYMAN (St Albans – Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business and Employment, Minister for Youth) (14:22): I rise today to update the house on how working from home is supporting local communities and small and family businesses. Flexible working is bringing real benefits to local economies, communities and small and family businesses. This is creating new opportunities around our state. Suburban cafes, neighbourhood bakeries, local retailers and small and family businesses are busy during the week. We know that working from home has boosted business at our local shopping precincts. It means more coffees bought locally, more lunches from corner takeaways and more time closer to home, keeping money in our communities and helping small and family businesses grow.

It is also making life easier for families. For people tackling work, parenting or running a business, flexibility is important, and it means less time commuting and more time locally. It saves families money. It saves Australians an average of $110 a week, which means over $5000 every year. That means money back in the pockets of hardworking Victorians at a time when every dollar makes a difference.

Today public consultation has opened for all Victorians to have their say. Whether you are working from home or you have a small or family business, now is the time to have your say so we get the balance right. This is about people, balance and productivity. When you are working from home, you are supporting small and family businesses, local jobs, local families and a stronger Victoria.