Page 89 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 22 February 1994

CHIEF MINISTER FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

Question No: 1093

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme Grant

MR MOORE asked the Chief Minister upon notice on 24 November 1993:

Did a resident of 5 Kissane Crescent, Evatt, receive a grant to set up his backyard business under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme: if so,

(a) how much did he receive, assuming the business was approved to operate on a

fulltime basis or a half time basis;

(b) were the new products or services to be provided in a new or novel manner;

particularly environmental; and

(d). did the resident receive any special consideration for additional training courses at taxpayers' expense?

MS FOLLETT The answer to the Member's question is as follows:

NEIS is a joint Commonwealth-ACT Government program run in every State and

Territory which is designed to assist unemployed people establish small-scale self-'

employment ventures. Under the scheme, unemployed people wishing to create work for

themselves complete a five week training course in small business and, at the completion

of the program, may apply for a start-up grant of $4,000 from the ACT Government and

twelve months income support from the Commonwealth Government.

In response to the specific questions, I can advise that:

(a) Yes, the resident referred to did receive a grant from the ACT Government under

the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS). The grant was for $4,000.

(b) It was the view of the NEIS Advisory Committee, which includes representatives

of both the ACT and Commonwealth Governments and the private sector, that the

business would be able to .satisfy a niche in the market place.

Commonwealth and ACT laws and regulations pertaining to business operation,

including environmental regulations. All NEIS participants are advised of their

responsibility to comply with all relevant regulations.