Page 3397 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 19 August 2009
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In terms of this review, the government also asked whether we thought it was important for the government to intervene and about ways in which the government could support effective and sustainable competition in the grocery sector over the short, medium and longer terms, taking into account the findings and recommendations of the 2008 ACCC inquiry. Our response to this was that we believe that the government has a vital role to play in intervening in the market where necessary. That is for supermarkets and that is also for small business. When the government fails to have policies which protect the interests of local residents and small and local businesses, it is also failing local communities.
Let me give a demonstration of this. I understand that earlier this year over 250 submissions were sent to ACTPLA about the proposed development at Giralang shops and that almost 3,000 people signed a petition to oppose it. It is clear that the people of Canberra see local shops as a very important part of their community and it is clear that local shops are an important part of small business.
They are the main things I want to say. Small businesses are a really important part of our community; they are one which the government is not paying enough attention to. We are very positive about the new forum; we are very positive that the government is implementing one of the items in our agreement; and we are very hopeful of success from the forum.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Planning and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (5.30): I start by thanking Ms Burch for bringing this motion forward this afternoon. I can indicate very clearly the value that the ACT government places on the contribution made by the private sector to our local economy. We seek to put in place a robust set of policies to foster an economic environment in which local businesses can flourish.
I think it would be fair to say that the government has a fantastic, cooperative and productive relationship with the business community and with the peak bodies that represent its interests. Ministers regularly meet with leaders of industry, as do senior officers within ACT government agencies. Between us, we work to identify challenges and opportunities, work through issues as they arise and keep channels of communication open and cordial.
Proof of this is that so many of the supportive programs that are delivered locally are designed in concert with the private sector and delivered through partnerships with the private sector. This cooperative path with the private sector is one that has been taken for a number of years now. The approach is, by all reports, working extremely well. It allows the government to call on the special expertise, knowledge and networks of the very community that we are seeking to help.
To give one example, the small business mentoring and advisory service that is funded by the territory government is delivered by Deloitte Growth Solutions. Another example is the creative industries development program ScreenACT, again funded by government but delivered by an industry task force under the auspices of the Canberra Business Council. Similarly, the new ICT collaboration program is being
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