Page 3311 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
a strategic plan and model of care. CSD, the Community Services Directorate, have seconded a staff member to support the CEO in undertaking these activities. Madam Speaker, this is a very important commitment and I am pleased to have been asked a question about it today.
Business—support
MS CASTLEY: My question is to the Minister for Business and Better Regulation. The Canberra Times published a story in November 2020 about a sole trader unable to participate in the ChooseCBR scheme, saying:
It’s a kick in the guts for someone who has managed to scrimp by.
On 11 September last year a Riotact article criticised the ACT government’s lack of support for non-employing businesses with a turnover of less than $75,000, saying that these businesses had been left out. Minister, how many non-employing businesses received business support grants?
MS CHEYNE: I will take that question on notice.
MS CASTLEY: How many non-employing businesses participated in the ChooseCBR scheme?
MS CHEYNE: Just going to Ms Castley’s earlier comments, the article that she refers to from almost two years ago does actually reference someone who was not able to participate in the ChooseCBR scheme because they had not received the JobKeeper or JobSeeker grant. That was part of the eligibility criteria for the pilot of ChooseCBR. We took that feedback on board from that participant and in fact we relaunched the full rollout of the scheme with that person, at their business, if members need reminding. So we certainly did act, as much as we could—
Ms Castley: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Point of order.
Ms Castley: It is just a simple question: how many non-employing businesses participated in ChooseCBR? That is all I need to know.
MADAM SPEAKER: The minister is in order. Ms Cheyne.
MS CHEYNE: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I say this because I am giving broader context to the question that Ms Castley is asking. We did seek to ensure that we had a broad range of participation in the ChooseCBR scheme. According to many accounts, including the Canberra Business Chamber, there was very high participation in the scheme by Canberra businesses. I think it is worth reflecting that there are a number of businesses, including non-employing businesses, that would not have been eligible for the scheme because of the type of business that they are—
Ms Castley: A point of order, Madam Speaker: 10 seconds to go.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video