Wednesday, 4 March 2026

 Kathleen MATTHEWS-WARD (Broadmeadows) (14:42): My question is for the Minister for Small Business and Employment, and I ask: what assistance is this government providing for our growing multicultural business communities? We have got some fabulous local shopping strips. You can get anything you want, from biryani, baklava, banh mi, barra, bolognese, baba ganoush, borek, bragioli, babka or the humble bacon and egg roll. Our small and family businesses bring so much life and flavour to the north, and it is all made with love, which is why it tastes so good. It was such a pleasure to visit the famous Katik on Saturday along with the minister, the member for Greenvale, the member for Calwell, the mayor and local councillors to announce state Labor’s funding to support the shopping strip. It was also great to drop into Olsen Place afterwards and let them know about their funding too, with the beautiful smell of freshly baked bread from the Olsen Place bakery permeating throughout the centre. Mahoneys Road shopping strip will also receive funding, and Glenroy will benefit from state government investment too, with lighting and art installations, improved shopfronts and public space upgrades.