Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Small Business Statement SMALL BUSINESS STATEMENT The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN Legislative Council SMALL BUSINESS STATEMENT The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (15:26): My question is to the Leader of the Government, as the Minister for Small Business. Can the Minister provide the chamber with further details of the South Australian government's recently launched Small Business Statement? The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY Legislative Council Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business SMALL BUSINESS STATEMENT The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:26): I thank the honourable member for his important question. The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Lensink is out of her seat and interjecting. She is out of order. The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY Legislative Council The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: And misinformed, Mr President. As I have previously informed honourable members, Wednesday 14 October marked the launch of the South Australian government's long-awaited Small Business Statement. Small business adds to the vibrancy and character of our communities, particularly in regional areas. With more than 140,000 small businesses across the state employing more than half of the private sector workforce, small business plays a vital role in the economy of South Australia. With that in mind, the Small Business Statement reaffirms this government's commitment to creating Australia's most supportive environment for small business. Small businesses are more vulnerable to recessive economic influences, and they face obstacles and challenges specific to their operations. With that in mind, the Small Business Statement was developed under the guidance of the Business Development Council subcommittee formed specifically for this purpose, and I thank the Hon. Mrs Zollo for her work in relation to the Business Development Council. The statement includes initiatives undertaken by the Rann government to improve the environment in which small business operates. These initiatives include: further reduction of government red tape; reduced business costs and state government taxes; build capacity through workforce development and skills training; offer targeted services that support specific needs; provide a voice for small business in developing government policy; foster innovation and creativity; increase export capacity; and respond to challenging economic circumstances. With many government programs spread across several agencies, the statement presented an opportunity to take stock of each of these various initiatives available to small businesses. As a result, the Small Business Statement lists an extensive range of specific government programs and services available to provide assistance to small businesses. The statement acknowledges that a viable small business sector will contribute to six objectives of the South Australian Strategic Plan: growing prosperity, improving wellbeing, attaining sustainability, fostering creativity, building communities and expanding opportunities. It also records the South Australian government's commitment to nurturing and encouraging well planned start-up businesses; supporting the growth, employment and export capabilities of small businesses; integrating small businesses in the digital economy; and monitoring and reacting positively to the circumstances in which small businesses operate. The Small Business Statement reinforces the government's commitment to maximise opportunities for small business in priority projects and to improve the flow of information between the government and small business. The statement sets out a potential vision for growth within the small business sector that will occur as a result of the government's continuing efforts to deliver on world-class infrastructure, encouraging innovative thinking and new technologies and providing facilities for up-to-date advice and skills development programs. The government will continue to foster awareness of the opportunities provided by the digital economy, working closely with the Business Development Council, professional and industry bodies, as well as the general community, to advance the cause of small business. The Small Business Statement has been forwarded to business enterprise centres, regional development boards, members of parliament and industry associations. Copies of the statement can now be obtained by contacting the Department of Trade and Economic Development, through local BECs or regional development boards.