Page 1876 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 22 June 2021
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Last week I had the pleasure of visiting the CBR Innovation Network, in my capacity as the ACT Greens small-business spokesperson. That network is a not-for-profit launched in November 2014, as a collaboration between Canberra’s world-class education and research institutions. Its mission is to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses to make an impact and to change the world. I was excited and moved by the inspiring and innovative work being undertaken right here in our city, and by the number of small businesses in the network who are driven not only by profit but by a genuine environmental and social justice motivation. These businesses turn a profit while they contribute and give back to our community. The network is a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity and critical thinking in our city, which our government is committed to investing in, with new methods and new opportunities to build Canberra as a destination city for small business.
In the 2020-21 ACT budget, the government committed a further $607,000 to ensure the growth of the CBR Innovation Network, which is just one example of the commitment that this Labor-Greens government has to small, medium and family-size businesses. I thank Peter and Josh from the network for giving me a tour of their space, and I look forward to collaborating and working with them in supporting the innovation that takes place. Just as I look forward to spending more time in the CBR Innovation Network over the coming months, I look forward to working with Minister Cheyne to ensure Canberra small businesses continue to have access to our nation-leading economy.
Throughout the election the Greens made several commitments to small, medium and family-size businesses. Mr Assistant Speaker, you would expect nothing less, because while other political parties and political candidates are awash with the donations of major multinational corporations, the Greens have small, family and medium-size businesses running through their veins.
I am particularly excited about a $10 million commitment we made for interest-free seed funding for loans from cooperatives. This is a really exciting opportunity that the Greens took to the last election to support cooperatives. When working together, businesspeople can minimise expenses, build relationships and achieve meaningful social, economic and environmental change.
Certainly, I welcome any government review that could find ways to improve the CBR program. In fact, I encourage and am enthusiastic about any review of government policy or service provision, because honesty, transparency and accountability in government expenditure and how they do things is integral to good governance and is a founding principle on which my political party is based. If there are still questions about how to improve the program, let us answer those questions, and let us continue to engage in an honest and open conversation with our community.
Once again, I thank Ms Castley for bringing this motion to the Assembly. While we will continue to have debates around the factual reality for small business in the ACT, I cannot question her genuine commitment to achieving better outcomes for small business. I also thank Ms Cheyne and her office for the hard work in this sector, and I trust they will continue the work of this Labor-Greens government to support local business into the future.
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