Page 782 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 March 2016
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The ACT’s strengths that will shape the future development of our private sector economy are in and around the knowledge economy, digital technology and ICT, spin-offs from our incredibly important tertiary education centre, but also the volume of opportunity that will flow from the commencement of direct flights to Singapore and Wellington later this year. Direct international connectivity will be a game changer for our economy, bringing many economic benefits to the economy and small businesses, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors. The confident and business ready strategy articulates three key approaches that underpin business policy and program design: creating the right business environment, accelerating innovation to create wealth and jobs, and supporting business investment in future growth areas.
In relation to small business, the ACT government has had a strong focus on business environment settings. For example, we have established Access Canberra as a no-wrong-door approach to dealing with the ACT government. Access Canberra has been proactive in supporting small business growth and development and has played a pivotal role in reducing the cost of doing business in the ACT through a number of initiatives, including streamlining approval processes for liquor permits for pop-up bars and low-risk events; providing a seamless customer experience by increasing the number of services available online including, for example, working with vulnerable people registration renewals; broadening the number of services available across the shopfronts such as the inclusion of business interaction with government at the Gungahlin shopfront; coordinated inspections and regulatory activities to reduce the number of interactions between government and businesses, both at the licensing and compliance stages, for example, the joining up of liquor and gaming inspections and WorkSafe and construction inspectors; better coordination of event approvals, streamlining regulation and reducing duplication of processes where possible; and three-year licensing for a range of sectors, such as for security guards and agents.
Focusing on making things easier for a customer is the important element of what Access Canberra is about. And small businesses are an important customer. To that end, we are developing simple streamlined information to small businesses, recognising that small business operators in the territory are more time restricted than large businesses.
Effort and progress continue to be made in moving services online so that small businesses can transact with government at any time and at their convenience. Access Canberra is also simplifying forms and making them more accessible and, where possible, populated, completed and submitted online. Clear examples include payroll tax forms, outdoor cafe permits and funding agreements for registered training organisations applying for funding from the government.
The ACT Labor government has also established a jurisdiction-leading approach to business innovation support, and we continue to implement programs and measures to help small business sell to the world and to market and promote Canberra nationally and internationally.
In summary, local businesses play a vital role in supporting the ACT’s economic growth and diversification, helping to create a vibrant and diverse city that is confident and business ready. This government understands that. This government knows that. The Canberra Liberals seem to have simply no idea this afternoon.
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