Bizweek

Mr MURRAY (Davenport) (14:45): My question is directed to the Minister for Innovation and Skills. I ask the minister whether he could please update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is working with small businesses to create jobs for South Australians.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Innovation and Skills) (14:45): I thank the member for Davenport. Like so many people on this side of the chamber, he has real small business experience in the small business sector, unlike those opposite, where you will struggle to find anybody who has even worked in the private sector let alone their own business. The contrast between the two is extraordinary.

Ms Cook interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hurtle Vale!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: South Australia's 143,000 small businesses form the backbone of our economy and are key drivers of the state's economic growth and employment. South Australia's small businesses are amongst the most confident in the nation. The Marshall government is creating a competitive, dynamic economy to provide new job opportunities, foster entrepreneurship and strengthen the future of our state here in South Australia. It is supporting small businesses, particularly in the regions, to adapt, evolve and grow—

Mr Boyer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Wright!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —to create jobs for South Australians. Last week, the Marshall government delivered Bizweek, a program of targeted events held across the state and online designed to support our small business community to adapt, to evolve and to grow. Events took place across regional and metropolitan areas of South Australia, including Port Pirie, Kangaroo Island, the Adelaide Hills. We were out at REDARC at Lonsdale. We were at Bickford's at Salisbury. We were at Sfera's convention centre in Modbury and my old stomping ground, the Parafield Gardens community centre, where I had my first job, when I was at school, collecting glasses for $1 an hour.

The Hon. S.S. Marshall: Too much!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: Too much—I was very slow. I was still learning. The program was tailored to include practical skills development for businesses, including specific sessions on building business resilience with mental health and resilience training on how businesses can learn from setbacks, ensuring the small business community remains able to support jobs and the growth our economy.

The week focused on assisting businesses to adapt, evolve and grow as South Australia continues to recover from COVID-19 and, importantly, shining a clear light on the various incentives and support programs that are available to small business. The program spanned 26 unique events over four days, attracting 2½ thousand registrations in person and online on the department's virtual hub.

Some of the most popular sessions included Bizweek business forum, digital marketing fundamentals, government support for business growth and planning, adapting business growth and, of course, skills and training for your staff. This was a very popular session. A number of those sessions were very well attended. Of course, we spoke about the subsidies being offered by the federal government at the moment—a 50 per cent subsidy on wages for the first 12 months for any apprentice or trainee that is employed up until 30 September this year, for the first 12 months of their salary, capped at $28,000—plus the additional incentives that the state government is offering, including a $200 a week discount for the first six months of being a host employer of a group training apprentice.

Comments from attendees at the events have been overwhelmingly positive. This is one example of some of the feedback we received. The attendee said:

This session opened my eyes and made me think about different things I can do to make my business stand out.

This has been reinforced by some of the other sessions I have attended.

Thanks for putting on Bizweek.

I've really appreciated the quality of the speakers and their willingness to help me as a small business owner.

It was an outstanding success. I congratulate the small businesses of South Australia on getting through this very difficult period.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the leader, I warn for the second time the member for Cheltenham. I warn for a second time the member for Wright.