Small Business

The Hon. J.S. LEE (17:24): As the shadow parliamentary secretary for small business, trade and investment, it is my pleasure to rise today to pay special tribute to the small business sector and family businesses in South Australia for their incredible resilience and acknowledge their significant contribution to the South Australian economy, despite facing difficult business conditions. The latest Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook report released this week for the 2014 September quarter continues to paint a dire picture of the South Australian economy. The report notes:

South Australia's economy is in the slow lane. More pain is on the horizon as it stares the closure of car manufacturing in the face…The job market has been less than satisfactory. Worryingly, job vacancies continue to fall, and they are doing so at a relatively rapid rate, consistent with challenging conditions of the moment.

This is a worrying sign for small business and industry in South Australia. Gross state product is forecast to grow at 1.5 per cent in the current financial year, while for the 2016 financial year it is expected to slow to just 0.5 per cent. Both figures are the lowest nationally. Economic growth in Tasmania is forecast to outperform South Australia in key economic indicators over the next five years.

Under the Weatherill Labor government, South Australia has the highest taxes in the nation, high debt and deficit, low consumer and business confidence and the worst performing workers compensation scheme. Under the Weatherill Labor government the cost of doing business in South Australia is escalating. South Australia continues to experience a dangerous jobs crisis. South Australians cannot afford a continuation of state Labor government policies that drive investment, business and jobs interstate and overseas.

Business owners have to not only manage the high cost of doing business but also deal with increasing cost-of-living pressures with escalating household budgets as more and more South Australian households have reported emergency services levy increases of 200, 300 and 400 per cent. Despite these challenging conditions, I was at the in-business The Cream business event, where Prescott Securities showcased the top 100 companies in South Australia. Many South Australian businesses are punching above their weight because of strong leadership and resilience.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Steven Marshall, and I were at the Business SA 2014 Export Awards on Friday 10 October at the National Wine Centre, where South Australia's most successful and innovative exporters were honoured. These awards recognise companies for their innovation and success in industry and export. There are eight awards categories.

I would like to place my sincere congratulations on the record. Ferguson Australia won the Agribusiness Award. I have known Deb and Andrew Ferguson for a long time. They are a very hard-working family with strong leadership and business acumen. Honourable members would know that the Fergusons, together with the South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council, have made their views known in public that the Weatherill Labor government's marine parks sanctuary zones threaten the livelihood of the local fishing industry and regional economies. This is another example of bad policy by the Labor government.

Going back to the award winners, I am pleased that Soniclean won the Health and Biotechnology Award, which was very well deserved. I have known the founders of Soniclean, Susan and Wah-Tong Lee, since I was a teenager. They are migrants from Malaysia and very passionate about South Australia and very proud of their medical grade ultrasonic product being exported to the world.

There were other category winners. The winner of the Creative Industries Award was Patch Theatre Company, the Environmental Solutions Award winner was B.-d Farm Paris Creek, the Information and Communications Technology Award winner was Avinet, and the Regional Exporter Award winner was Blue Lake Milling. The Small Business Award went to Protect-It Column Guards and the Manufacturing Award and also the South Australian Exporter of the Year Award went to Kelly Engineering. I would like to place on the record my congratulations on the fine resilience and leadership of South Australian businesses in South Australia.