- Constituency Questions No 6151
- Answered
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Legislative Assembly59 Parliament First Session
- Question
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Asked: 30 November 2021
Melton electorate
Mr McGhie asked the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery for the Minister for Small Business —(6151) My constituency question is to the Minister for Small Business in the other place. Minister, what supports have been available and how have they helped small businesses in my electorate adapt and trade during the last two years? I was delighted to attend last Thursday night the City of Melton Business Excellence Awards. Winners of the Business of the Year Award and the Award for Adaptability were Events 720, who adapted their business that usually focuses on making booths for exhibitions into a business that also now creates children’s play equipment. The Award for Accessibility and Inclusion went to Outlook Environmental and their inclusionary employment. The Award for Sustainability Leadership went to Lady and the Hair, and their business has amazing sustainability practices that are truly inspiring. The Award for Disability Inclusion went to Specialist Hoops Basketball, a fantastic business that I have been delighted to help support in the past. Tabcorp Park in Melton received the Conscientious Employer Award. It would be great to know what support the Andrews Labor government has provided to help other businesses like these also succeed in their ventures.
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Answered: 25 January 2022
I thank the Member for his question.
Awards such as the City of Melton Business Excellence Awards are an important way for the community to recognise the contributions of small business. I commend all the award winners on their fantastic achievements and look forward to hearing about their further successes in the months ahead.
These achievements are particularly impressive when considering the extra stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on their businesses.
The Victorian Government has provided more than $11 billion in direct economic support to business and workers since the start of the pandemic.
Key features of recent support include:
- The Business Costs Assistance Program Round Five, which provided automatic payments ranging from $1,000 to $8,400 per week, rising according to payroll
- The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund, which provided automatic payments between $5,000 and $20,000 per week for eligible licensed hospitality premises
- The Small Business COVID Hardship Fund, which provided a one-off grant of $20,000 to eligible businesses, and
- The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program which provided a $1,200 rebate to help small businesses access a range of digital business tools to help them build or upgrade their website, improve cash flow, start online marketing, manage jobs and projects, and keep better track of stock.
With regards to businesses in the City of Melton, 6,982 applications valued at a total of $177 million have been approved for payment to businesses in the Melton City Council LGA from COVID-19 business support grant programs (Business Support Funds, Licensed Hospitality Venue Funds, Business Costs Assistance Programs and Small Business COVID Hardship Fund).
Small businesses in Melton can continue to access a range of support available to small business owners experiencing financial or business stress or personal wellbeing concerns. Details on the Partners in Wellbeing telephone helpline (1300 373 330), Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring and mediation support provided by the Victorian Small Business Commission are all available at business.vic.gov.au.
Hon Jaala Pulford MP
Minister for Small Business
