SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Will the minister provide some information about the upcoming Small Business Month in South Australia?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (14:44): Three years ago, the Small Business Development Council recommended that the state government launch a Small Business Week to promote and encourage the development of small business in South Australia. The state government embraced this idea, which aligned with some of the objectives of the State Strategic Plan, and allocated $1 million across four years to launch the inaugural Small Business Week. Following the overwhelming response, the government decided to extend Small Business Week into Small Business Month. I am delighted to—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I think that is rather disappointing. Here is an important part of our community—96 per cent of the business in this state are small businesses—and members opposite can only laugh. They are laughing at Small Business Month. What does that say about their attitude to small business? What is more, I see that, as of Friday, the Leader of the Opposition will become the new shadow minister for small business. Heaven help us! Heaven help small business if that is his attitude to small business—that he has so much contempt for it that he has that response.

I am delighted to inform members that Small Business Month will be held again this year in October. South Australian Small Business Month 2008 will optimise the success of events organised by the Business Enterprise Centre and Regional Development Board networks, industry associations and a number of state and commonwealth government agencies.

Small Business Month 2008 will primarily consist of educational events run by the Department of Trade and Economic Development, through the BEC and RDB networks, industry associations and the private sector. This year's activities will include a two-day small business expo on 27 and 28 October 2008 at the showgrounds. Last year's Small Business Month comprised more than 100 events and activities, organised with the assistance of the BEC and RDB networks.

Organisers of this year's Small Business Month have developed an extensive program using feedback from attendees and participants in last year's event. In February 2008, an online survey was conducted with attendees and organisations that hosted events. These responses have helped organisers understand the needs of both the delegates and key event hosts, as well as pinpoint perceived successes, shortfalls, motivations and barriers to attendance.

DTED and its supporters have used this information to identify opportunities for improvements in Small Business Month in 2008. This morning, I was delighted to launch Small Business Month at a breakfast held across the road at the Stamford Plaza. I also used this opportunity to announce that the state government, with the input of the Business Development Council, will spend the next 12 months framing a small business statement.

This government is committed to listening to small business. This year's theme of Small Business Month is 'small business talks', and we want to hear what it has to say. To help us become better listeners, the Business Development Council will oversee the development of this important policy document.

The key objective of the South Australian Small Business Statement is to ensure that this great state has the most supportive business environment in the country for small business to grow and prosper.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: The statement will be developed during the next 12 months so that it will be ready in time for Small Business Month 2009. This document will build on the initiatives that I have already taken since becoming the Minister for Small Business. I am happy to inform honourable members that I have asked Philip Sims, chief executive of Robern Menz and president of the South Australian chapter of Family Business Australia, to head the renamed Business Development Council. I have also appointed Tegan Webb, whose family founded Spring Gully Foods, to the council as its first-ever youth representative.

Ms Webb's appointment to the council ensures that the voice of a new generation of small business entrepreneurs will be heard loud and clear in this state. Just last week, I announced that Mike Norman, whom many people here would remember, has been engaged as a Family Business Development Manager to assist the Department of Trade and Economic Development develop tools and resources to assist family business through its statewide network of Business Enterprise Centres and Regional Development Boards.

These initiatives are a direct response to the Thinker in Residence Dr Deniss Jaffe's report into family business in South Australia. I was pleased to have bedded down these significant government responses in time for this year's Small Business Month. I look forward to a successful month of events that both highlight and encourage the role of small business in driving South Australia's economy. A dedicated website for South Australian Small Business Month has been developed, and organisers are encouraged to register their events online. I encourage small businesses and their supporters to take advantage of this year's Small Business Month. I hope members on this side of the chamber and those opposite will take the opportunity to get out and take part in some of the many activities packed into a busy month-long schedule.