Page 786 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
research are continuing under the new prime ministership, and that is already impacting on local small businesses in the ACT and it will directly undermine innovative small businesses in the future.
Despite the reassuring words from Mr Turnbull, the reality is that we have not seen a reversal in the savage and ideologically driven cuts on renewable energy and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Similarly, we are seeing very significant reductions in scientific staff at the CSIRO. While this February has broken world-wide heat records, and we have been reminded that more than ever we need support for science, what we are actually seeing is a reduction in climate science at the CSIRO and we are seeing a reduction in opportunities for innovation and the small businesses that will help us adapt to the changing climate and to develop technologies to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
Canberra-based research and development into renewable energy can lead to start-up industries of the future, with enormous expert potential. What is the Liberal Party’s response? To drop a price on carbon and wind back the renewable energy target, both market-based instruments that support the growth of small businesses of the future. That is what we see—again—the disconnect between the rhetoric and the reality of what actually gets done when the Liberal Party has the opportunity.
In contrast, the ACT Greens have actively worked to improve the ACT’s planning and regulatory environments for the ACT’s small to medium enterprises. We have a long-term vision for a positive transition of business to a clean, green economy in the ACT. The industries of the future, the industries that we are seeing globally, are booming, are creating jobs and are providing outstanding business opportunities for those people who are looking particularly to the future.
The ACT has many unique business opportunities and, by working together, business, government and the community sector can achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, significant innovation, more efficiency and great returns for those people who are willing to take the risk of starting up a small business. And it is a risk. Anybody who has been involved in small business, who has worked in small business or who has talked to small business owners across the board know that there is a risk involved.
Just last week I was with Mr Gentleman and Dr Bourke in Tuggeranong as part of the pop-up cabinet. We went around to a number of small businesses in Tuggeranong and we heard those stories and had those discussions. So we know there is a risk involved, but we can work together to both minimise those risks and ensure that those who do take those risks are rewarded suitably down the line.
In terms of the Greens, we have talked about some items in the parliamentary agreement. We have also been advocating for small business in the Assembly for some time, including support for new and existing business incubators and other support for small business operators and entrepreneurs.
It is interesting to look at the fundamental factors behind the success of start-up culture in cities overseas. It is talent networks within a city that increase the likelihood of technological and other innovation, and some cities attract more talent than others.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video