Mrs AAGAARD - 2005-02-15
The Martin Labor government is committed to championing small business and backing them to grow. How has the Business Growth Program assisted Territory small business to get ahead? Are you aware of any feedback from the business community about the value of this program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nightcliff for her question. In her former life, prior to entering this parliament, my colleague ran a very successful small business. I take much countenance and advice from her based on small business issues and concerns …
Mr Dunham: She did not even know what fraud was.
Mr HENDERSON: Again, my friend, the member for Drysdale.
Last week, I talked about the uptake of the Business Upskills Program, which has been a great success and delivered on another government election commitment. Today, another program, run by my Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, the Business Growth Program with $225 000 per year committed to this program that gives practical support and assistance to Territory businesses, helping them to grow.
Territory businesses with an annual turnover of $30 000 or more are able to work very closely, one-on-one, with skilled business improvement consultants to further refine their business plan to take on board the opportunities in the Northern Territory, with first-hand expert advice that really makes a difference to their business plan and the running of their business. There has been a significant increase in the number of people participating over the last seven months in all of the business programs run by my department.
Such is the success of this program, since 1 July this year, 43 Territory businesses have been approved to participate in the program, compared to 40 participants for the 12 months ended 30 June, which doubled the rate of last year. Of the 43 businesses participating so far this year, 10 are located in regional centres across the Territory, receiving a total of $63 865 in grants. In the review of the program last year, I made a commitment that we had to get this program out to the regions, not just available in Darwin and Palmerston.
To highlight the practical outcomes being delivered by the Business Growth Program, here are some testimonials from operators of small business in the Territory. Dianne Donaldson from Mailfast NT stated that the program has delivered improved profitability and gives ongoing support, not just one-off support. Petrina Fisher from Darwin Electric Motor Rewinds said, ‘The program has enabled us to see other areas of growth that we had not considered. It strengthens the relationship between business and government’. Breeze Jessop of Projection Plus said, ‘The program helped us to employ an independent professional to look at our business objectively. It has given us new energy and direction. Fantastic assistance for all small business. I wish we had taken advantage earlier’.
I would urge all business operators, particularly small and growing business operators who are listening to this broadcast, to take advantage of the service. The public servants in DBIRD and the Business Growth areas are doing a magnificent job. I put on the record my thanks to those officers and the consultants who are working with them assisting small business to take advantage of the great opportunities in the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nightcliff for her question. In her former life, prior to entering this parliament, my colleague ran a very successful small business. I take much countenance and advice from her based on small business issues and concerns …
Mr Dunham: She did not even know what fraud was.
Mr HENDERSON: Again, my friend, the member for Drysdale.
Last week, I talked about the uptake of the Business Upskills Program, which has been a great success and delivered on another government election commitment. Today, another program, run by my Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development, the Business Growth Program with $225 000 per year committed to this program that gives practical support and assistance to Territory businesses, helping them to grow.
Territory businesses with an annual turnover of $30 000 or more are able to work very closely, one-on-one, with skilled business improvement consultants to further refine their business plan to take on board the opportunities in the Northern Territory, with first-hand expert advice that really makes a difference to their business plan and the running of their business. There has been a significant increase in the number of people participating over the last seven months in all of the business programs run by my department.
Such is the success of this program, since 1 July this year, 43 Territory businesses have been approved to participate in the program, compared to 40 participants for the 12 months ended 30 June, which doubled the rate of last year. Of the 43 businesses participating so far this year, 10 are located in regional centres across the Territory, receiving a total of $63 865 in grants. In the review of the program last year, I made a commitment that we had to get this program out to the regions, not just available in Darwin and Palmerston.
To highlight the practical outcomes being delivered by the Business Growth Program, here are some testimonials from operators of small business in the Territory. Dianne Donaldson from Mailfast NT stated that the program has delivered improved profitability and gives ongoing support, not just one-off support. Petrina Fisher from Darwin Electric Motor Rewinds said, ‘The program has enabled us to see other areas of growth that we had not considered. It strengthens the relationship between business and government’. Breeze Jessop of Projection Plus said, ‘The program helped us to employ an independent professional to look at our business objectively. It has given us new energy and direction. Fantastic assistance for all small business. I wish we had taken advantage earlier’.
I would urge all business operators, particularly small and growing business operators who are listening to this broadcast, to take advantage of the service. The public servants in DBIRD and the Business Growth areas are doing a magnificent job. I put on the record my thanks to those officers and the consultants who are working with them assisting small business to take advantage of the great opportunities in the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016