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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-03-22 Daily Xml
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SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSIONER

Mr PICCOLO (Light) (14:39): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Can the minister please inform the house on the outcomes of the Small Business Commissioner Bill consultation?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (14:40): I want to thank the honourable member for his important question. Consultation on the Small Business Commissioner Bill was held between Valentine's Day—a very busy day for the member for Norwood—and 15 March in more than 15 locations across South Australia. In addition to face-to-face consultation, there has been a targeted mail-out to key stakeholders and industry associations. Further to this, interested stakeholders were also able to be provided with private briefings if they were required.

The broad statistics emanating from this consultation period were very encouraging. I am advised that more than 300 people attended public information sessions where 872 information packs were distributed. I am also pleased to report that, of the 49 submissions concerning the draft bill received by the government, the vast majority were very supportive.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Davenport! I warn the member for Davenport.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sorry, I can't hear you. There were also several suggestions—

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sorry, old man, I can't hear you.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: There were also several suggestions made which will be taken into consideration before the final bill is introduced into parliament for debate. As the draft bill outlines, the establishment of a Small Business Commissioner will contribute to the creation of a level playing field for small businesses in South Australia.

Mr Marshall: You got rid of the small business advocate.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Then why didn't you turn up to the consultation? It was held in Norwood. Madam Speaker, the member for Norwood on Valentine's Day was very busy holding interviews throughout his electorate—

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: And on the internet.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —and on the internet, talking about his star sign, and I understand—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for MacKillop.

Mr WILLIAMS: This has nothing to do with the question asked. The minister is wandering into fantasy land.

The SPEAKER: Order! No, I do not uphold that point of order because the minister has not yet responded. However, I am sure that this is relevant to the answer to his question, and it had better be.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I agree, Madam Speaker. The deputy leader should take advice only from the member for Davenport. Don't think for yourself, it's dangerous!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The Small Business Commissioner would also have—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —legislative authority to investigate alleged unfair market—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —practices and to monitor compliance with industry codes, such as the franchising code of conduct. I wish to thank every business, industry group and individual who bothered to attend these briefing information sessions and/or has made a formal submission to the bill.

I would also like to thank the small business commissioner project team for all their hard work so far. I will be discussing these reforms with my colleagues on this side of the house, and, in coming weeks, I expect that the bill will be introduced for debate shortly after that.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Unley.

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