Small Business Commissioner

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:07): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The search for a new Small Business Commissioner has concluded. I am pleased to inform the house that the state's new Small Business Commissioner is Mr John Chapman.

Mr John Chapman, until recently, was the chief of staff to the Minister for Investment and Trade and was previously employed as the chief executive officer of the Motor Trade Association of South Australia. Mr Chapman has also held other senior roles with Business SA, the Insurance Australia Group and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Mr Chapman holds a Master of Business Administration, a Company Directors Course Diploma, and he is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Chapman has a long and successful history of interaction with small business, particularly in his role with the Motor Trade Association, and, as a result, has an excellent understanding of the challenges facing small businesses in our state. He has a clear understanding of government and its policy framework, and the government is confident that he will be able to utilise his demonstrated leadership skills to establish an effective future reform agenda.

The selection process for this role was a rigorous one, and the government was pleased with the high calibre of the applications received. The office has made great headway since opening in 2012, with over 10,000 businesses having contacted the office seeking assistance with a range of issues. I congratulate Mr Chapman on his appointment, and I trust that he will do an exemplary job in this very important role for both small business and the people of this state.