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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-02-23 Daily Xml
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Northern Economic Plan

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:38): I have a question for the Minister for Automotive Transformation. Can the minister tell the council about what the state government is doing to ensure that South Australian businesses are able to take advantage of the South Australian government's infrastructure projects in northern Adelaide?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in the area. I will, with pleasure, outline just another element of what we are doing in northern Adelaide to help with the transformation of that economy.

As the honourable member is aware, last month the government launched the Northern Economic Plan which was very well received by many people, including the local councils that have worked on the Northern Economic Plan so hard over the last 12 months, with the government: the Port Adelaide Enfield council, the Playford council and the Salisbury council, as well as business and community leaders.

The plan sets the direction to grow jobs in northern Adelaide by supporting growing industries and assisting businesses to create jobs. As I have previously outlined, the government has committed more than $24 million in new funding supporting the growth sectors in the northern economy. As I have outlined before, the growth sectors identified include: urban renewal; health, ageing and disability; mining equipment and technology; tourism, recreation and culture; agriculture, food and beverage; and defence.

An integral part of the Northern Economic Plan is finding ways in which the state government and local northern councils can work with each other to give businesses a smoother ride when looking to create jobs and expand their businesses. With the coming closure of Holden at the end of 2017, we need to be able to see that where there are job losses there are expansions and developments going ahead whenever they can. That is why we are working with our partner councils in the north to ensure that if there is anything state or local governments can do it is being done, and that if there are any approvals or administrative processes that need to be streamlined we are doing as much as we possibly can.

We are also ensuring that small business is supported. We know that there are thousands of small businesses in northern Adelaide and that with a small amount of assistance many of these businesses may be able to grow and employ new workers. In line with this priority of supporting businesses to grow and create jobs, it was a pleasure to open the first Meet the Buyer event held in northern Adelaide at the Central District Football Club last week.

Over 500 business managers and owners attended the event, with the crowd spilling out of the club's main function room into the foyer. The event was an opportunity for local South Australian businesses to meet face to face with senior government buyers and project managers, and to make connections and let them know of their capabilities. With representatives from most government departments, such as State Development, Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Education and Renewal SA, as well as local councils, small businesses in particular had the chance to make connections that may assist them in procuring work and creating jobs in their businesses.

With around 500 business owners and managers attending, the representatives from the departments and northern councils had constant queues at their tables at this event. The next Meet the Buyer event will be held on 12 July, and I am sure it will again be a popular event. This is just another example of the work the state government is doing to create jobs in our north. The Northern Economic Plan has set a path for job creation, but we know that it is not just business, not just the community, but the government that will play an important role in creating jobs and creating that growth.

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