Mr GUNNER - 2008-09-16
In your Address-in-Reply, you committed to a strong focus on major projects to deliver an expanded Territory economy. As you know, the majority of Territory businesses fit into the category of small and medium business. How will you ensure that these major projects benefit small to medium business, and how will our government act to ensure these businesses are heard and do share in the economic growth?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Small to medium businesses make up the majority of businesses in the Northern Territory by a very long way. There are more than 10 000 small businesses in the Northern Territory and they are the backbone of our economy.
Major projects benefit small and medium size businesses across the Northern Territory, both directly and indirectly - directly by being able to supply to these major projects goods and services in the development, construction, establishment, and ongoing operations of major projects; and indirectly as a result of population growth coming off the back of major projects in the Northern Territory. That population growth sees more consumption in the economy; more consumption means more opportunities for small and medium businesses. I am on the record as a champion to bring major projects to the Northern Territory, and that is because the whole economy benefits from these major projects.
We made an election commitment that my government has committed $200 000 this year to hold six forums across the Territory to explain to small business how they can benefit from major projects. That has been very much welcomed by business groups right across the Northern Territory, going directly into small and medium sized businesses and putting information out there about how they can get into the supply chain for these major projects. These are being planned now by the Department of Business and Employment and will occur over this financial year.
In addition to these forums, my Business minister, the member for Casuarina, will continue to host the Business Agenda NT. This is the body that has replaced the Business Round Table. It is assisting government in planning our business engagement and business education programs around the Northern Territory. We will also commit to continue to be the lowest-taxing jurisdiction for small business in the country ...
Mr Elferink: That is wrong. You forgot the under 100 by-line.
Mr HENDERSON: Businesses of 100 employees or fewer, which are the majority of our businesses in Australia, pay the lowest taxes …
The member for Port Darwin is so rude, he just cannot help himself. There are a lot of small businesses in your electorate that would be very keen to hear what the government is doing without your inane interjections.
That commitment to remain the lowest-taxing jurisdiction in Australia will continue through the life of this government. I will continue to pursue those major projects for the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. Small to medium businesses make up the majority of businesses in the Northern Territory by a very long way. There are more than 10 000 small businesses in the Northern Territory and they are the backbone of our economy.
Major projects benefit small and medium size businesses across the Northern Territory, both directly and indirectly - directly by being able to supply to these major projects goods and services in the development, construction, establishment, and ongoing operations of major projects; and indirectly as a result of population growth coming off the back of major projects in the Northern Territory. That population growth sees more consumption in the economy; more consumption means more opportunities for small and medium businesses. I am on the record as a champion to bring major projects to the Northern Territory, and that is because the whole economy benefits from these major projects.
We made an election commitment that my government has committed $200 000 this year to hold six forums across the Territory to explain to small business how they can benefit from major projects. That has been very much welcomed by business groups right across the Northern Territory, going directly into small and medium sized businesses and putting information out there about how they can get into the supply chain for these major projects. These are being planned now by the Department of Business and Employment and will occur over this financial year.
In addition to these forums, my Business minister, the member for Casuarina, will continue to host the Business Agenda NT. This is the body that has replaced the Business Round Table. It is assisting government in planning our business engagement and business education programs around the Northern Territory. We will also commit to continue to be the lowest-taxing jurisdiction for small business in the country ...
Mr Elferink: That is wrong. You forgot the under 100 by-line.
Mr HENDERSON: Businesses of 100 employees or fewer, which are the majority of our businesses in Australia, pay the lowest taxes …
The member for Port Darwin is so rude, he just cannot help himself. There are a lot of small businesses in your electorate that would be very keen to hear what the government is doing without your inane interjections.
That commitment to remain the lowest-taxing jurisdiction in Australia will continue through the life of this government. I will continue to pursue those major projects for the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016