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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 8 Hansard (25 October) . . Page.. 2025 ..

Mr Berry: But you are the Minister for urban services in Reid.

MR DE DOMENICO: But I am not the Minister for reading Reid Residents Association newsletters, Mr Berry. Had the Reid Residents Association sent me a copy, I would have read it. If you can give me a copy I will read it now, if you like. As with all road closures, it is the custom of the Department of Urban Services to go out to the community, write to them, knock on their doors and ask them about it. I can recall that we did that for Learmonth Drive, which some people agreed to and some people did not, and we will do the same for the Reid residents and the Campbell shopkeepers as well.

MR MOORE: My question is also to Mr De Domenico and it is not about Reid. However, I can assure him that his office did receive a copy of the Reid Residents Association newsletter. Members will know that for years every member has always got a copy of the Reid Residents Association newsletter. My question refers to an issue to do with small business, Minister. I understand that you have responsibility for the new futures in small business program, which is run for small business hopefuls. Is it the case that the new futures in small business program is funded and intended for 20 places but that in fact only 17 positions have been offered because of difficulty in determining which of the other 12 applicants should have the three remaining spaces?

MR DE DOMENICO: I thank Mr Moore for his question. Mr Moore would realise that the Government is committed to encouraging the growth of small business, and the new futures in small business program is specifically designed to assist people who have been retrenched or made redundant to establish themselves in new businesses.

Ms Follett: It started under Labor.

MR DE DOMENICO: Yes, Ms Follett is quite right; and it is a great program. At the same time, the program contributes to the development of successful businesses in the ACT. The program began in 1994 and has achieved very successful outcomes for 90 per cent of the participants. Of the 48 participants, I am advised, 21 have started new businesses, seven are carrying out further research and planning and 15 have found employment. As to the specific question you asked, Mr Moore, I do not know the details, but I will get back to you once the department gets back to me.

MR BERRY: My question is directed to Mr De Domenico, the Minister for Industrial Relations and small business, and smaller business in the taxi industry. Will the Minister rule out changes to the ACT Workers Compensation Act or any other provisions for workers compensation benefits that would limit access to workers compensation benefits by a person engaged in sport or in training or in preparation for a sporting contest?

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