Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Ministers statements: regional development

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:42): I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s support for regional businesses. During the winter break I took the opportunity to meet with businesses who are kicking goals in the regions thanks to our investment and support. In Geelong I met with John and Tony Spence at Prestige Jayco to view the expansion of their sales and service centre in Newcomb, which is supporting 15 new jobs. Tony and John are passionate and so knowledgeable about all things caravans and motorhomes, so if you are in the market, go and head down and talk to them.

I also had the opportunity to walk through the Geelong convention centre site. It is one of the biggest developments ever seen in regional Victoria, and it will have a long-lasting benefit for Geelong and surrounds for decades.

In Ballarat I went to JG King Homes to see Project Windows and Doors, where I met father and son duo John King Jr and John King Sr, and CE Bartlett, a textile manufacturer, where they have completed a major expansion. These Ballarat-based businesses have recently created 37 new jobs and driven more than $6 million in capital investment into Ballarat.

This will be of interest to people, I think. I would encourage anybody to repeat this visit. I went to Morris of Rutherglen to view the $20 million redevelopment of the commercial distillery and the continued growth of its cellar door, which reopened in 2024.

We are very, very proud to support the growth of local businesses, which play a key role in helping the regional Victorian economy thrive. We also continue to provide lots of support in this regard. On 1 July we also lifted the payroll tax free threshold for the sixth time since coming into government to $1 million. This equates to a 75 per cent discount on payroll tax for regional businesses, thanks to our regional payroll tax being the lowest in the country at just 1.2 per cent. We will keep talking up Victorian businesses on this side of the house. I would encourage people to support and get out there and visit them.