Small Business Grants

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (14:56): My question is to the Minister for Innovation and Skills. Could the minister please provide detail on how the Marshall Liberal government is backing small business and building what matters for small businesses to grow?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Innovation and Skills) (14:56): I thank the member for Newland for his question and his support for small business in his electorate. He knows how important small business is and the role it is playing for South Australia's post-pandemic recovery.

An overwhelming response to the Marshall government's $5 million SME Business Advisory Service Program highlights a strong rebound in business activity here in South Australia. This is another example of the Marshall Liberal government's backing for small business as part of the recovery and building what matters. Demand for the program has exceeded expectations. The program is now fully subscribed with 900 applications from SA businesses in less than three months, injecting $10 million into the South Australian economy.

Additionally, 400 local businesses have been approved as providers of the program. Applications were received for support across areas such as business planning, marketing, transformation of business and operating models, business futureproofing, information technology and e-commerce. These are all the types of skills that you want to bring into your business when you are looking at growing, when you are confident about the economy and when you are confident about growing.

There is nobody here getting financial advice about how to reduce the size of their business: it is about growing their businesses. That is where they are looking for advice. Industry sectors that have supported the funding program include professional, scientific and technical services, agriculture, forestry and fishing, retail trade, manufacturing and construction, accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance.

Some examples of how the grants have been used include Meditation Life within the seat of King. Meditation Life will use the grant to further develop its marketing in the digital space. This has been a very popular area for this support—moving into the digital space, pivoting into that area, which people have delayed for many, many years. However, the impact of COVID-19 has encouraged people to move quicker into this space.

Techgrow International Pty Ltd, in the seat of Frome, is an agricultural machinery retailer that distributes equipment across Australia which has used the funding for a strategic business review. Again, it is all about planning for the future. Clare Valley Tours, again in Frome, is an organisation obviously hit very hard by COVID-19, but they are looking to the future.

As international operators have moved into the domestic market, pricing has been sensitive and they are getting support with this grant on their marketing, improving their online engagement, as well as an analysis of growth opportunities through mentorship, support to identify new business opportunities, including research and development, and business futureproofing. Again, it is talking about the future. For Glen Ewin Estate in the seat of Newland this grant will support improved digital connectivity and internet access, expanding wi-fi and mobile coverage to improve the experience for patrons visiting the winery and the function centre—again looking towards the future.

This strong demand for business follows a recent National Australia Bank Monthly Business Survey, which shows South Australia is leading the nation in business confidence and conditions. Business conditions in South Australia are at their highest on record and higher than before the pandemic. Of course—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —the Marshall Liberal government—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the leader!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —is supporting small business to grow and to employ more South Australians.