Ms WALKER - 2011-02-24
Can you please update the House on the latest data on business confidence in the Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a priority of this side of the House to support businesses and help them grow. Our economy is very strong and it is growing …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: This side of the House is interested in business; I know that side of the House is not. Our economy is strong and it is growing. We have the lowest unemployment in the nation and, as Business minister, I am committed to helping …
Members interjecting.
Mr KNIGHT: You would think the other side of the House would be supportive of business ideas and outcomes - they do not seem to be. We on this side are committed to supporting business.
The latest independent report card on business confidence has given a big tick to this government and is proof our policies are working. Figures released today from the Sensis Business Index show business confidence in the Northern Territory has increased by 3% to 55% in the last quarter, and remains significantly higher than the national average of 44%. I am pleased to say business confidence is even stronger in regional areas at 58%, well above the national average.
This government has produced the lowest-taxing jurisdiction in the nation for small to medium businesses. The other side of the House had higher taxes for small to medium businesses. We have business-friendly policies, which is why we have the highest confidence rating of any government in Australia. That has increased by 3% in all those jurisdictions from the last quarter.
That business confidence has increased to 33%, compared to 14% nationally for our training and business programs. Some of the reasons quoted for showing support was the government was supportive of small business management and training schemes; business received help from government departments; government was creating employment and training schemes; and government was trying to help business.
This side of the House is focused on supporting businesses because they create jobs which improves the lifestyle of every Territorian. We commit to continuing those projects while the other side of the House is completely anti-business.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is a priority of this side of the House to support businesses and help them grow. Our economy is very strong and it is growing …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr KNIGHT: This side of the House is interested in business; I know that side of the House is not. Our economy is strong and it is growing. We have the lowest unemployment in the nation and, as Business minister, I am committed to helping …
Members interjecting.
Mr KNIGHT: You would think the other side of the House would be supportive of business ideas and outcomes - they do not seem to be. We on this side are committed to supporting business.
The latest independent report card on business confidence has given a big tick to this government and is proof our policies are working. Figures released today from the Sensis Business Index show business confidence in the Northern Territory has increased by 3% to 55% in the last quarter, and remains significantly higher than the national average of 44%. I am pleased to say business confidence is even stronger in regional areas at 58%, well above the national average.
This government has produced the lowest-taxing jurisdiction in the nation for small to medium businesses. The other side of the House had higher taxes for small to medium businesses. We have business-friendly policies, which is why we have the highest confidence rating of any government in Australia. That has increased by 3% in all those jurisdictions from the last quarter.
That business confidence has increased to 33%, compared to 14% nationally for our training and business programs. Some of the reasons quoted for showing support was the government was supportive of small business management and training schemes; business received help from government departments; government was creating employment and training schemes; and government was trying to help business.
This side of the House is focused on supporting businesses because they create jobs which improves the lifestyle of every Territorian. We commit to continuing those projects while the other side of the House is completely anti-business.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016