Small Business Grants

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (15:06): My question is to the Premier. What does the Premier say to tackle store owners like Brian Wheadon? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order: there is a long-established principle that you can't ask a question that is not understandable without an explanation. That question, without an explanation, seeking the leave of the house, is not understandable and I would ask the Leader of the Opposition to rephrase it.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: If it helps the Speaker, I am happy to provide the material that I am referring to. I am happy to text it to you, send it to you so that you can see it.

The SPEAKER: I think if you just tweak the question you will probably be alright.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: What does the Premier say to tackle store owners after his announcement today? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: The opposition has obtained a social media post by Brian Wheadon, who is a tackle store owner, who said:

…vouchers what a joke how about $50.00 fishing tackle vouchers to help the industry at the forefront of the Algae bloom…

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier, Minister for Defence and Space Industries) (15:07): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. I note the source of the opposition leader's question. I will give you marks for consistency because we see the opposition leader now rushing to social media in order to source information. We know what has happened in the past when you have applied that approach.

But allow me to say this: to shop owners, whether they be selling fishing tackle or other marine-oriented equipment, if they are experiencing a downturn in trade they remain eligible, and will continue to remain eligible, for the small business downturn grant. They are grants of up to $10,000 if they experience a downturn in trade. There are fishing tackle shop owners who are applying for that process. We acknowledge that this is a real issue and we are seeking to address it, and we are working closely with the industry association who represent this particular industry to work with them collaboratively and come up with thoughtful solutions.