Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (17:19): (1630) The adjournment matter I wish to raise is for the Minister for Small Business and Employment and concerns the upgrades announced for the Hampton Park retail precinct as part of the multicultural business precinct revitalisation program. The action that I seek is that the minister provide an update on these upgrades that will benefit constituents in my electorate of Narre Warren South.

I was really pleased to hear that the Hampton Park retail precinct was awarded $250,000 under the state Labor government’s multicultural business precinct revitalisation program and that the grant would be supported by the City of Casey as well to help deliver improvements to this much-loved and very busy shopping hub. Hampton Park shopping centre is home to many wonderful food shops, small businesses and cafes as well as a supermarket. There is lots to love about this local shopping centre, including all the various regulars, the local Salvos store, the bustling fresh fruit shops and various multicultural eateries, from Sri Lankan, Afghan and Vietnamese cuisine to Cambodian, Lebanese, Japanese, Thai and your classic bakery, and who could forget Jason’s fish and chip shop as well.

It is all available within this precinct, thanks to the fantastic smaller family-run businesses and traders. The vibrant mix of cuisines represents the diversity of our multicultural community in the electorate of Narre Warren South. About 56 per cent of all small businesses are owned by people with at least one parent born overseas, and this program is a part of this government’s commitment to supporting our multicultural communities while also boosting local economies and jobs as well. I think that this revitalisation grant is an exciting opportunity for our community. I look forward to sharing the minister’s response with them.