(1) The $270,000 allocated in the 2003/04 Budget for fostering development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is not for one "program", but is to be used to fund three separate initiatives. The individual components are addressed in the responses to questions 3, 4 and 5 below.

(2) This is addressed in the responses to questions 3, 4 and 5 below.

(3) The online interactive business advisory service is part of a new tender process for the delivery of the Government's business advisory service. The contract for the current business advisory service, known as the Canberra Business Advisory Service (CanBAS), concludes 31 December 2003. The new Request for Proposal (RFP) includes a module defining the requirements for the development of a comprehensive online business training and advisory service. The RFP will be advertised in September 2003, with commencement of the new service scheduled for the beginning of January 2004.

(4) The enhanced online Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) is not yet operational. Canberra Connect and BusinessACT have engaged IBMGSA to undertake a strategic review of BLIS in order to identify a well-defined process to enable the Service to be enhanced, refreshed and delivered to the business community through the Canberra Connect operation. The delivery through Canberra Connect is considered an appropriate option for this Whole-of-Government service and the new service is expected to be operational at the beginning of 2004.

(5) The additional funding earmarked for the Business Acceleration Program has been added to that program's budget for 2003/04. To ensure funding is available throughout the year, grants are allocated to applicants on a monthly basis. Nineteen percent of this budget has been committed to date to assist businesses grow through activities as diverse as developing business and marketing plans, Quality Assurance accreditation and gaining Registered Training Organisation status.