South Australian Business Chamber Programs

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (14:47): My question is again to the Premier. Will the government restore funding for the SA Business Chamber's entrepreneurial SAYES program? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr COWDREY: The SA Business Chamber has been delivering SAYES since its inception 26 years ago, helping more than 1,100 participants to turn their business concept into a reality or to grow their established small business. The funding agreement expired in December 2023 and future funding has not yet been confirmed by the Malinauskas Labor government. At a time when we are seeing small businesses fail in droves and entrepreneurship on the decline in South Australia, this is an initiative which could be restored.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer, Minister for Defence and Space Industries) (14:48): I thank the member for Colton for his question. It's an important question, because as he has outlined in the explanation to his question this is a program which has delivered some significant results for participants. I note that this is an issue that the opposition is bringing to the government's attention about the budget. I understand the leader stood up for media today outlining what is in his wish list for tomorrow, which I hope extends past a neck pillow, a little packet of nuts and a bottle of water for his travels. But beyond those modest ambitions, we will see what room there is in the budget for the more substantive policy issue that is raised by the member for Colton.