Page 4096 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 26 November 2014
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going to fix it. There is no such silver bullet or single answer, but in putting these sorts of steps in place it is about creating that better business environment. We know that more people walking past shopfronts and cafes rather than driving creates more custom for the shops in these pedestrian-friendly areas. That is the point I was making in giving those observations yesterday.
We support a long-term strategic plan for business that drives the transition of a clean, green economy in the ACT and helps the ACT meet its climate change targets and address issues of food security and peak oil. I spoke yesterday about the opportunities for improving food production in the ACT.
From a social point of view, I think we can do more to support social enterprises that have the potential to affect positive social and economic outcomes, particularly amongst disadvantaged groups in the community. In yesterday’s matter of public importance on small business I also spoke about the night-time economy and the opportunities there.
Resource recovery and recycling also offer a significant opportunity for the ACT. This further emphasises the need for a waste strategy that complements the green economy strategy. This is an area that can be either a burden if we do not get it right or a great opportunity if we support our local businesses to be a core part of the resource recovery chains.
As I said, I spoke about local food production yesterday. I think there are opportunities there. In an agricultural vein, when the laws are finally changed to allow for the medical use of cannabis, I think there is an opportunity for the ACT to play a part in the production and supply chain. I have certainly seen reports that the medical cannabis industry in the US is worth over $2 billion a year. In the context of legalised usage, it makes sense that one might consider being part of the supply chain and creating a local employment opportunity.
The microcredit program was funded by the ACT government in the 2013 budget for interest-free and fee-free loans to eligible low income earners who wish to establish or expand a small business activity. This has been run by the Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre and has been backed up by private funding through the Snow Foundation. That is a parliamentary agreement item. Expanding the successful program from only being available for women was a Greens’ election initiative. This program will now also be available to migrants, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people and men on low incomes. This program has since been expanded to make larger loans available so that people can take their next steps in growing their businesses.
One thing I think the ACT government could do is look at how to better support employees who wish to work part time—and the federal government needs to do the same—as well as encourage more flexible working arrangements, such as working from home.
I have not mentioned the federal government’s proposed cuts to the ABC. I note Minister Gentleman did, and we will obviously talk about this some more tomorrow.
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