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) (15:17): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Around 43 representatives from small business associations attended this week's Small Business Roundtable, the ninth since it was established by the Weatherill government in 2014. The round table is a great opportunity for associations that represent thousands of small businesses to have direct access to ministers on a range of topics.

Wednesday's forum received an overview of improvements to business costs through the successful reforms to the former WorkCover scheme. Under the guidance of new legislation and the good work of the Deputy Premier, the average levy on employers has dropped from 2.75 per cent in July 2015 to 1.95 per cent today. This is a fantastic achievement.

The impact of this reform is a return of $180 million a year to small businesses across the state. Over a four-year period, that equates to well over half a billion dollars. That money can be used for expansion, wages or improved facilities. It is worth noting that if any other business costs were reduced by $180 million there would be loud acclamation. This achievement has been very much the silent achievement of this government.

They would also welcome the recent Westpac national economic report that showed that South Australia's economy strengthened in 2016, with state final demand rising by 2.1 per cent in the December quarter. The same report shows employment was 1.1 per cent higher than a year earlier in the December quarter and there is an evident stabilisation in business investment in response to increased activity.

The Small Business Roundtable also discussed the energy plan developed by this government to ensure security of supply. I can advise the house that there was almost uniform recognition around the room that the national market rules had failed to keep pace with the evolution of the national market. Electricity costs are a serious concern to small business. We need to get them down and we are working very hard to do so.

Also on the agenda was a briefing from beyondblue's general manager, Patrice O'Brien, on the programs that business can access to ensure mentally healthy workplaces. I congratulate beyondblue and their sponsors, which include ReturnToWorkSA, for the program called NewAccess, which is used in workplaces and community settings.

At the round table, I announced the expansion of the Export Partnership Program, which will now consider applications from small business associations. This broadening of the program will encourage associations to spread the message about the economic opportunities that exist in exports because that is a fabulous opportunity for small business. There was also an update on the series of one-on-one meetings between my agency and small business associations to hear from business how we can better support them through the new Small Business Statement, to be released in November each year.

I thank the member for Kaurna for his contributions on red tape reduction and the energy plan and the Deputy Premier for his very worthwhile contribution. I thank them for making themselves available for questions and a frank discussion with small business on a regular basis as always. I look forward to the 10^th round table in early July when the Treasurer will be able to speak to the Small Business Roundtable about the budget, face questions and answer them bluntly and directly from the floor—a most important process of communication between government and small business which, after all, employs well over 90 per cent of South Australians.