Ministerial Statement

Small Business Roundtable

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:01): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Around 30 representatives of small business associations attended today's Small Business Roundtable, the seventh since it was established by the Weatherill government in 2014. The round table is a great opportunity for small business associations, which represent thousands of small businesses, to have direct access to ministers on a range of topics. Today's forum received an overview of the South Australian economy from Chief Economist, Mark Duffy, and considered the 2016-17 state budget initiatives to support small businesses, with a presentation from the Treasurer.

The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure provided an overview of growth corridors and strategies for road and rail infrastructure, which had been requested by business associations at previous meetings. Concerns were raised about issues to do with population growth and getting out the positive messages about South Australia to increase confidence in this state. These are important issues and will be addressed at the next Small Business Roundtable.

The round table was also an opportunity to hear from businesses how we can support them through the new Small Business Statement. This statement is being developed in partnership with the small business community and will highlight the importance of small business associations across the state. Small business and industry groups are invited to have their say about the priorities and challenges facing small business and how government and industry could work together to address these issues.

The feedback, ideas and business intelligence gathered through the consultation will inform a new Small Business Statement for South Australia to support small business growth and jobs. The survey has been open for some time and will close on 23 September. To have your say, visit the yoursay.sa.gov.au/small-business-statement website. The new Small Business Statement for South Australia will build on the state government's recent reforms in areas important to small business, including taxation, ReturnToWorkSA (formerly WorkCover), planning and liquor licensing.

The statement will also be complemented by Simplify Day, a red tape repeal day being held on 15 November 2016 to remove outdated and redundant legislation that makes it difficult to do business in South Australia. The government looks forward to the cooperation and support of those opposite in getting rid of that red tape. The government has consulted with major business organisations and again today with representatives of small business through the Small Business Roundtable, and we thank them for their advice.