Algal Bloom

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): A supplementary to the Premier, or a new question if you will. Will the Premier amend the criteria to ensure that Mr Brown is provided relief?

The SPEAKER: That is a new question. The Premier.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:24): I think what this government has demonstrated in action and in deeds is flexibility regarding business support criteria. We made a substantial adjustment on Monday. We are very proud of the fact that this government has sought to accommodate more businesses through more generous means than we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is not just about adjusting the criteria. Wherever you draw a criterion, it brings with it a degree of inflexibility within its nature. So we have catch-all provisions that provide discretion to myself and the Treasurer and we have officials in the Department of State Development who are working to process these applications at unprecedented levels of speed—they have now got this to a 15-day turnaround. Where a business provides all their information, we are seeking to process that within 15 days; in fact, in some instances we have surpassed that target. So, speed, flexibility and generosity. These are the sorts of characteristics that we have sought to embed in the support program and will continue to do so where we think it is necessary.