Mr KIELY - 2005-11-29
Over the last two years, there has been a dramatic turnaround in the outlook for small and medium business in the Territory with support from the Northern Territory government going from a negative approval rating to the highest approval rating in Australia. Can you outline what has brought about this significant turnaround?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for that question; because it certainly was an issue that had a fair bit of airing in this House. Over the last two years, whenever a Sensis report came out, from a government’s point of view, we were not terribly confident of what the results would be. What we have seen is a significant turnaround.
Government has worked hard with business to get that growing confidence in our small businesses and government policies. It is terrific that we now have the highest approval rating of any government in the country from small business. I believe it really represents a solid commitment from this government to talk to business and to look at what the factors were that Territory businesses want to see delivered by government. This approval rating is a real sign that we are going in the right direction. I would not say that we have achieved 100%, but we are going in the right direction, and this is the second quarter in a row where we have had that significant growth and support from small business. Really, it is all down to delivering solid economic growth in the Territory, which is the key to what small business wants.
To quote from the Sensis November report, which was released today:
That was one quote, and the other was:
This is quite clear indication from small business that, yes, this government is headed in the right direction and small business is benefiting.
The Business Sensis Index found that business support for government stemmed from the belief that as a government we were very clearly trying to help small business, and we were certainly much more aware of their needs. That is true, and I pay tribute to all the ministers and members who have been doing that interaction with small business and working with them.
As a government, we back small business and their opportunities to grow, by importantly delivering those tax cuts. They are record tax cuts, and we can proudly say that we are the lowest taxing jurisdiction in Australia for small businesses with less than 100 employees.
Ms Carney interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: That is fantastic; that covers such a vast range of Territorians. It is really interesting to hear that mocked by the Leader of the Opposition, that is not something to be proud of.
I believe that Territory businesses have real opportunities because the taxing regime for them is the lowest of any small business with under 100 employees in the country. That is a fantastic achievement. Our commitment is to business and we are going to keep that position very solidly. We have invested in major projects. We are delivering programs through various areas of government that offer practical support and advice. Importantly, when you listened to the summit last week, one of the key elements of the summit was training, training, training and growing our own work force. That is something we are now committed to: the training of 10 000 Territorians as apprentices and trainees over the next four years. We have increased the number of apprentices and trainees by 50% in the last four years.
Business knows we are listening. Business knows we are focusing our resources on delivering for them, Madam Speaker.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for that question; because it certainly was an issue that had a fair bit of airing in this House. Over the last two years, whenever a Sensis report came out, from a government’s point of view, we were not terribly confident of what the results would be. What we have seen is a significant turnaround.
Government has worked hard with business to get that growing confidence in our small businesses and government policies. It is terrific that we now have the highest approval rating of any government in the country from small business. I believe it really represents a solid commitment from this government to talk to business and to look at what the factors were that Territory businesses want to see delivered by government. This approval rating is a real sign that we are going in the right direction. I would not say that we have achieved 100%, but we are going in the right direction, and this is the second quarter in a row where we have had that significant growth and support from small business. Really, it is all down to delivering solid economic growth in the Territory, which is the key to what small business wants.
To quote from the Sensis November report, which was released today:
- … the booming economic conditions the Northern Territory has been experiencing has translated into support for government.
That was one quote, and the other was:
- Small business has stamped their approval on the Northern Territory government’s economic policies.
This is quite clear indication from small business that, yes, this government is headed in the right direction and small business is benefiting.
The Business Sensis Index found that business support for government stemmed from the belief that as a government we were very clearly trying to help small business, and we were certainly much more aware of their needs. That is true, and I pay tribute to all the ministers and members who have been doing that interaction with small business and working with them.
As a government, we back small business and their opportunities to grow, by importantly delivering those tax cuts. They are record tax cuts, and we can proudly say that we are the lowest taxing jurisdiction in Australia for small businesses with less than 100 employees.
Ms Carney interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: That is fantastic; that covers such a vast range of Territorians. It is really interesting to hear that mocked by the Leader of the Opposition, that is not something to be proud of.
I believe that Territory businesses have real opportunities because the taxing regime for them is the lowest of any small business with under 100 employees in the country. That is a fantastic achievement. Our commitment is to business and we are going to keep that position very solidly. We have invested in major projects. We are delivering programs through various areas of government that offer practical support and advice. Importantly, when you listened to the summit last week, one of the key elements of the summit was training, training, training and growing our own work force. That is something we are now committed to: the training of 10 000 Territorians as apprentices and trainees over the next four years. We have increased the number of apprentices and trainees by 50% in the last four years.
Business knows we are listening. Business knows we are focusing our resources on delivering for them, Madam Speaker.
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Sound lost due to power outage.
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Sound lost due to power outage.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016