Small Business Funding

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (15:09): Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Can the minister advise the house on the outcomes for small businesses in Whyalla who have received assistance from the state government?

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) (15:10): I thank the member for his question. I know he faces considerable challenges in his electorate. In May this year, the state government announced the introduction of an interest-free loan scheme to support small businesses experiencing cash flow challenges as a result of Arrium entering administration, and that was announced by my friend the Minister for Regional Development.

The program was funded by $10 million from the Regional Development Fund, as I mentioned, established by the Arrium supply chain through the administration period where payments due may have been frozen. In addition to this loan initiative, the government also engaged accounting firm Hood Sweeney to provide free financial counselling support and legal firm Thomson Geer to provide small businesses with legal advice.

Small Business Commissioner, John Chapman, and the Treasurer spent many days and weeks in Whyalla talking to the businesses and providing the best assistance government could muster. One of those companies was Delmac Power Equipment. Two weeks ago, Delmac Power Equipment won the Whyalla Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business of the Year Award. Delmac was one of the first to receive a loan—it was $90,000—from the Whyalla Small Business Fund.

The Treasurer tells me that the proprietors, Steve and Denise Savaidis, are delightful people. The Whyalla Chamber of Commerce and Industry 72^nd Business Awards Dinner was held at the Westlands Hotel and Delmac Power Equipment headed a list of businesses that were recognised for their efforts. In her speech after receiving the award, Denise Savaidis said the honour was 'fantastic'. She also said:

I want to thank you for all of the support we have had over the past 12 months, most of you know about our rocky ride, we have had a hell of a time.

We have had support from the community, from our staff, our family, and we are riding the wave—I can see that we will be a great town, better than ever.

She thanked the Chamber of Commerce, Regional Development Australia, the Whyalla city council and the state and federal governments, saying the business has had 'so much support'. Former local member and now Mayor Lyn Breuer told the audience that Whyalla 'will survive' once the Arrium crisis has come to an end. The state government commends the efforts of the Whyalla business community and all in the Upper Spencer Gulf for their sterling effort in seeing themselves through the challenges they presently face.