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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 5 Hansard (3 May) . . Page.. 1538 ..

ACT Industry Search & Opportunities (ISO) -a free service funded by the ACT Government assisting ACT & Queanbeyan businesses to access a national ISO network. The ISO exposes ACT businesses of all sizes to opportunities in local, domestic and international markets through the identification and marketing of local industry capability. There are more than 200 local ACT & Queanbeyan companies, mostly from the small business sector, currently taking advantage of this service.

ACT Business Incentive Scheme (ACTBIS) -ACTBIS reflects similar business assistance schemes operating in other jurisdictions in Australia. Through the use of tailored incentive packages, ACTBIS encourages the development of strategic business opportunities that bring significant economic benefits to the ACT.

Since the inception of ACTBIS in February 1996, some 40 local small businesses have been offered financial incentive packages totalling approximately $5.5m. To date, these local companies have directly generated approximately 700 full time equivalent jobs in the ACT.

ACT R&D Grants Scheme -The ACT R&D Grants Scheme offers ACT knowledge-based organisations financial assistance for the commercialisation of R&D activity. As at the end of March 2001, grants totalling almost $2.5m had been approved in support of approximately 30 local small businesses.

Business Advisory and Regulatory Review Team (BARRT) -BARRT is the successor to the Red Tape Reduction Task Force, and consistently monitors issues facing small and home based business.

Last year BARRT particularly looked at small business establishment issues and the special needs of small business in dealing with Government. The result of this work was:

> Changes to Business Licence Information (BLIS) Packs;

> Enhancements to the Business Gateway; and

> Ongoing collaboration with Canberra Connect to streamline Government processes, with a particular emphasis on the ease of applications.

Other issues considered by BARRT recently that have directly impacted on small and home based business include:

> The ANZFA Food Standards Code where small business were invited to comment on the changes. Consultation ensured that small business was well informed and as a result will not find the changes as onerous as originally perceived.

> Improved customer service by PALM in the land planning process so that small business may more easily access these services.

> In conjunction with the Office of Training and Adult Education (OTAE), conducted Industry consultations to identify the future training needs of Small Business. Representatives attended from peak business bodies in the ACT as well as some small business operators. The result was a suite of training programs called "trainingsmallBiz.com", funded by the ACT Government. The feedback from this year's consultation, conducted on 3 April 2001, will be used to enhance the trainingsmallBiz.com program.

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