WOMEN IN BUSINESS AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about Women in Business and Regional Development, Limestone Coast.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: Women in Business and Regional Development, Limestone Coast supports women by providing women in the Limestone Coast area with training, mentoring, networking opportunities, publications and reports, a directory of members' businesses and business forums. I understand that the minister recently provided Women in Business and Regional Development with a grant. Will the minister provide more information to the chamber?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:22): I am very pleased to provide the funding to sponsor Women in Business and Regional Development, Limestone Coast. Women in Business and Regional Development is a non-profit community organisation which educates women in ways to start and grow businesses, enhance their careers and develop their leadership potential.

Women in Business and Regional Development supports women across the Limestone Coast region to become leaders in a variety of ways, including by providing training, mentoring and networking opportunities for members. It has created publications and reports for the broader community about regional women, their issues and successes, and maintains a directory of members' businesses and business forums.

The government's sponsorship contributed to Women in Business and Regional Development creating the Influential Women in Business Awards, which were established to highlight the achievements of women in the local business community. These awards will be presented on 4 June in Mount Gambier and will celebrate the success of women of all business backgrounds, from up-and-coming young businesswomen to corporate leaders and those working in the not-for-profit sector. The awards have five categories:

Best Small Business (for businesses under 10 employees);

Best Home-Based Business;

Best Business (with over 10 employees);

Young Businesswoman of the Year; and

Businesswoman of the Year.

Prizes for winners include a marketing strategy, an e-business strategy package, a corporate training program and business coaching. These would be very useful for women starting out on a business venture. I understand that Women in Business and Regional Development will also assist winners to enter further awards such as the Telstra Businesswoman of the Year and the SA Great Regional Awards.