Adjournment: Small Business

Ros SPENCE (Yuroke) (19:05:53) — (14 506) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Small Business, and the action I seek is for the minister to visit the Yuroke electorate to meet with local traders. The Andrews Labor government has a fantastic record of supporting local industry and jobs, from reducing payroll tax to investing in small business mentoring and support. The Yuroke electorate is home to many new small businesses that are making the most of the booming population in Melbourne’s outer north. I know that local traders would greatly appreciate the minister stopping by to discuss how we can continue to support their success, and I look forward to hosting him in my electorate soon.

Response:

The Andrews Labor Government continues to invest in small businesses across the state, no matter if they are just starting out or striving to reach their next milestone.

Victoria’s small business culture continues to growth from strength to strength, with over 20,000 new small businesses established in 2016-17. Importantly for small businesses in Yuroke and other areas of Victoria, bringing forward the increases to the payroll tax threshold will enable them to employ more Victorians. The payroll tax threshold has now increased to $650,000 and an estimated 2,800 small businesses across Victoria with payrolls below $650,000 no longer be liable for payroll tax.

These changes to payroll tax, in conjunction with workshops and mentoring sessions provided by Small Business Victoria, have helped many small business operators in Yuroke and throughout Victoria start and grow their business.

I also encourage small businesses in Yuroke to visit the Business Victoria website, www.business.vic.gov.au where they can book into many of the opportunities provided by Small Business Victoria to take part in a workshop, book a mentoring session and access a wide range of information and resources.

I thank the Member for Yuroke for her invitation and I look forward to joining you in Yuroke to meet with local businesses.

Hon Philip Dalidakis MP
Minister for Small Business