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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-05-17 Daily Xml
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Northern Entrepreneur Growth Program

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:32): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister tell the chamber about some of the businesses in the Gawler area that are benefiting from the Northern Entrepreneur Growth Program?

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) (14:32): I thank the honourable member for his question about the Northern Entrepreneur Growth Program and the fantastic work that is being rolled out in that area. Members would recall that I have often spoken about the excellent advocacy we have seen by the member for Light, Tony Piccolo, in terms of businesses in this area. I had the pleasure of spending time with Tony Piccolo in Gawler on Monday, earlier this week, and he is well loved, that is why he has continued to hold that seat for a number of elections. The amount of work he does in that community, and the advocacy, is something to behold. It is fantastic.

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: The Hon. John Dawkins does some good work in that area. I have seen him at the Gawler Show judging his sheep. He does some very good work in that area, but I have to say that Tony Piccolo, the member for Light, does exceptional work in that area—outstanding. He is the best. The member for Light, Tony Piccolo, has been instrumental in ensuring the establishment of the northern entrepreneurs program, and we are now, after the fantastic work of that great local member, the member for Light, Tony Piccolo, starting to see some of the fruits of his advocacy for businesses in that area.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I note interjections from the opposition, talking about the member for Light's track record. It is a fantastic one, and I thank them for their compliments up there.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, take a seat. Leader of the Opposition, you are far too animated. I am trying to listen to the answer, just as the person who asked the question, the Hon. Mr Ngo, is, so please allow him to do so.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Thank you, Mr President. We were just talking about how good the member for Light is. We were just talking about that, and the opposition seemed to be agreeing. But I digress and I would not want to invite interjections again.

I might talk about some of the fruits that are starting to come from the member for Light's exceptionally strong advocacy for those areas. We talked about it yesterday: the mobile phone tower that is going to be going up in Wasleys, in part thanks to the advocacy of the member for Light. It is so pleasing to see that the member for Light's hard work will benefit the whole area. That's a mark of respect to Tony Piccolo, the member for Light, that he advocates for an area that is going to be redistributed, but he is still in there fighting for it and he will continue to do that.

The Northern Entrepreneur Growth Program comprises six initiatives supported by Business SA, the Gawler Business Development Group and the Stretton Centre. The six initiatives are: the Northern Entrepreneur Scheme, Northern Business Coaching, Profit Improvement for Existing Businesses, Business Fundamentals for Start-ups, Business Fundamentals Plus and Home to Curated Office Environment Initiative.

Some examples are Johnson Plumbing and Gas, which was started in July last year, operating out of premises in Hewett. The owner Ben is an experienced plumber and he is using support through the northern entrepreneur grant program to take his business to the next level. Using the networking and development opportunities afforded at the Stretton co-working centre, Ben is seeking to build his brand as a trusted family business.

Another business that is benefiting from the program is Quality Building Inspections, operated by David. The business inspects buildings with a focus on prepurchase inspections for real estate. David is looking to expand his business and is using the services provided under the Northern Entrepreneur Growth Program to get his business in a position to employ staff. He is hoping to employ multiple inspectors and pest controllers. Quality Building Inspections is looking to hire its first additional employee in the next year.

Another example is Down to Earth Sustainable Solutions, run by Rachel and Tom, who, since 2009, have been offering energy consulting services. Like Quality Building Inspections, they are seeking to grow and employ staff and are taking part in the Northern Entrepreneur Growth Program to help them reach that point. Greenway Property Solutions is a new property management business established by Stephen, a qualified real estate agent. Through participation in this program, Stephen is hoping to access the support provided at the Stretton Centre and make connections with other businesses.

The Labor government is proud to be supporting small businesses through this scheme that was advocated so strongly for by the member for Light, Tony Piccolo. We are also supporting growth in small businesses, such as the $109 million job creation grants, offering up to $10,000 over two years for new FTEs created in small and medium size businesses. That's in addition to the commitment to support northern Adelaide that we saw as part of the $24 million Northern Economic Plan that we have talked about already today, including the $10 million Small Business Development Fund that is supporting businesses in northern Adelaide.

In conclusion, I would sincerely like to thank the member for Light, Tony Piccolo, for his exceptionally strong advocacy for business in the north, but the Gawler region in particular.

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