Constituency Question: Small Business Regulation

Ms SPENCE (Yuroke) — (12 045) My constituency question is to the Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, and I ask: what can Yuroke small business owners and operators expect as the next steps in the small business retail regulation review? Now that the initial consultation period has concluded, I am sure small business owners and operators in the Yuroke electorate would welcome further advice from the minister about the review, given this policy area is so important to them.

Some time ago I was pleased to write to small businesses in the Yuroke electorate to advise them that the review would be taking place and to invite them to take part. I have always been delighted to support local small businesses like Rozzi’s Italian Canteen at Craigieburn Central, operated by the always welcoming Ronaldo Magno, and many more such small businesses in Yuroke. I know Ronaldo and all the small business owners and operators in the area would be delighted to receive an update from the minister on this important matter.

Response:

I refer to the matter raised by the Member for Yuroke, Ms Ros Spence MP on 23 November 2016, regarding an update on the small business regulation review.

The Andrews Labor Government is committed to the success of small business in Victoria. That’s why we’ve increased the threshold for payroll tax over the forward estimates from $550,000 to $650,000, are legislating to expand the Victorian Small Business Commissioner and have funded a second Small Business Bus to provide small business owners with localized and low cost business mentoring services – which I note has been to the Yuroke electorate multiple times.

It’s great to see the interest of small business owners in Craigieburn in the Small Business Regulation Review. Cutting unnecessary and burdensome red tape by 25% is an extremely important election commitment and will mean that local businesses like those you mentioned are able to spend their time growing their businesses and creating local jobs.

The Review has now concluded its formal public consultation stage for the retail sector, with businesses all over Victoria contributing their stories and experiences with regulation, and the cost it incurs on their business. However, small business owners that have not had the opportunity to attend a roundtable consultation event, or make a formal submission to the Review are able to provide feedback at www.vic.gov.au/smallbizreview or email at smallbiz.review@ecodev.vic.gov.au. The Review team is keen to continue engaging with small business owners throughout the project to understand more about their experiences and test options for change.

The review is now entering a co-design process between government, industry and small businesses to address issues that have been raised. We will continue to value the input of small business operators, such as those you have mentioned, as the Review looks at ways that regulatory processes can be improved.

Thank you again for the information you have provided through the Victorian Parliament. I look forward to working in partnership with you and other Members of Parliament to continue promoting the Small Business Regulation Review to local businesses, delivering on our election commitments and cutting unnecessary red tape impacting on the ability of small business to provide opportunities for growth, innovation and employment.

Hon Philip Dalidakis MP
Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade