HUB ADELAIDE

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Minister, can you please inform the house about the government's support for Hub Adelaide to encourage more young entrepreneurs to stay in South Australia?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:46): I thank the honourable member for her question. Mr Speaker, the government is committed to encouraging young entrepreneurs to stay in South Australia and to develop their businesses here locally. That is the significant reason why the government has supported the creation of Hub Adelaide, which officially opened its Peel Street doors last Thursday.

South Australian entrepreneurs will be able to access an international network of resources and expertise. It is expected that up to 250 entrepreneurs will access Hub Adelaide's co-working space each day. For those members here who have not been there to have a look and would like to, I would be more than happy to arrange the opportunity to go and have a look, because it is really quite impressive.

The overall hub occupies 720 square metres over three levels of working space, providing a perfect professional environment for members to collaborate, share ideas and knowledge. The government has supported this project because of the great success that hub projects have had in other Australian capital cities and across the world. Members of Hub Adelaide will be part of a network that spans from Tokyo to Berlin and Seattle, over 30 different cities across five continents.

I am pleased to report that Hub Adelaide already has its first 100 members. Supported by Microsoft and BankSA, this base will continue to grow as more people realise the great potential of the initiative to improve their own business prospects. I can also advise the house that the state government, in partnership with Hub Adelaide, has announced a new fellowship program to sponsor 10 young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 25 to work and learn at the hub.

All South Australians can take advantage of a Hub Adelaide membership, which will remain half-price until 2014. So, if anybody here is interested, jump in and get your membership. The government support of Hub Adelaide is part of the government's strong commitment to a vibrant city. A vibrant city will encourage young South Australians to stay and enjoy everything that this great state has to offer. We are already seeing an increased vibrancy of Bank, Leigh and Peel streets, with new small venues, restaurants and businesses.

Hub Adelaide will be a great addition to the emerging Peel Street. While some members opposite have been sceptical of the government's laneway activation and vibrant city agenda, this is a government that is getting on with the job of improving our CBD for all South Australians to enjoy. I look forward to seeing the progress of Hub Adelaide in the coming months.