Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (10:08): I want to bring the chamber up to speed on how businesses cope and how businesses are treated when they are affected by the Big Build. Many of you have heard now about the plight of the people in Pakenham in Bald Hill Road, whose shopfronts have been either cut off or restricted by the Big Build. This is now the timeline. On the 5th of the 12th last year Bald Hill businesses wrote to my office telling me about their plight. They had previously written to the government and to the council. On the 8th of the 12th 2025 I wrote to the Cardinia Shire Council; Minister Horne, the Minister for Roads and Road Safety; and Minister Suleyman, the Minister for Small Business and Employment. On the 11th of the 12th Cardinia replied, saying they would advocate on our behalf. On the 22nd of the 12th Suleyman’s office replied, suggesting – and wait for this – that the businesses subscribe to a Business Victoria newsletter and undertake a mental health check. Unbelievable. The other minister, Minister Horne, still has not replied. On the 22nd of the 1st this year I met with the local traders. On the 24th of the 1st Jess Wilson and I met again with local traders. On the 3rd of the 2nd I asked a constituency question to the minister for roads. She palmed us off. On the 4th of the 2nd Bev McArthur asked an adjournment, which was once again palmed off. I have run out of time because this is how much running around we have got. I am not even a quarter of the way through. Get real and start helping small businesses.