Friday, 14 August 2026

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Finance, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Government Services) (12:37): Today I rise to inform the house about the results of the NAB monthly business survey and the Carroll Labor government’s commitment to backing in business. Released earlier this week, the NAB monthly business survey shows Victorian business conditions rose 13 points in July and nine points over the year. Victoria now ranks second amongst the states in business conditions, which is a testament to our economic resilience and new direction under our new Premier. This confidence has been backed by real investment. Victorian business investment grew 14.7 per cent over the year to March, which is the strongest of any mainland state. In fact since 2014 business investment has grown 59 per cent, which is the strongest growth of any state in the nation. And that investment translates to real jobs. Since coming to office we have created over 800,000 new jobs, and that has not happened by luck; it has happened through investment and considered government policy. Our Business Acceleration Fund has delivered more than $250 million in annual benefits by cutting red tape and speeding up approvals. We are also streamlining permits, automating processes and cutting waiting times across the board. Removing the requirement for hospitality businesses, for example, to require a separate planning permit to serve alcohol has already benefited more than 1100 businesses – real regulatory reform. We are also halving business regulators from 37 to 18 by 2030, starting with the consolidated Building and Plumbing Commission and Safe Food Victoria. Only Labor backs Victorian businesses with the investment support and regulatory reform needed to help grow our economy.