Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown) (11:56): My question is addressed to the Minister for Small Business. Will the Minister update the House on the work the Minns Labor Government is doing for businesses in New South Wales?
Mr STEPHEN KAMPER (Rockdale—Minister for Small Business, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Sport) (11:56): I thank the member for Campbelltown for his question. He is a relentless, passionate advocate for small business. I am happy to inform the House that NSW Labor is pulling every lever we can to support small businesses in this State. We have increased the direct procurement threshold with government to $250,000 to get more money flowing into small businesses. We have simplified bidding for government contracts for small businesses. We have provided targeted relief for the cost of doing business through energy bill rebates and toll relief programs. We have created the New South Wales business grants and funding finder to ensure businesses understand what assistance they can access. We have implemented the Charter for Small Business to ensure all government departments are exploring opportunities on how they can work better with small business.
By far the most important service we have delivered is the Service NSW Business Bureau, which provides businesses with one front door, so we can understand their problems and direct them to the services that they require. We understand that no two businesses are alike. That allows us to tailor support depending on their unique problems. Since the Business Bureau launched in October, it has delivered 24,000 hours of personalised advice and assisted more than 160,000 business inquiries. Our rapid response teams have assisted business with a range of issues such as supply chain disruptions from fire ants or the impact of the M6 sinkhole. The Business Bureau is making a difference to the business community in New South Wales.
Due to its limited resources, we understand that the New South Wales Liberals secretariat is technically a small business, employing fewer than 20 people. I am pleased to update the House that small businesses are eligible for eight hours of free personalised advice, which is great news. That means the New South Wales Liberal Party will qualify. Our Business Bureau concierges are available both in person and over the phone. They are well practised at helping people to fill out forms. The bureau supports growth. That is exactly what the Liberal Party needs to grow beyond 300 nominations. The Business Bureau also provides personalised help for sole traders—like the member for Oatley. Sadly, the nominees for the member's section of the Georges River could not be nominated within Don Harwin's constraints. [Extension of time]
The member for Oatley was the coordinator-in-chief for Don Harwin's appointment as Liberal Party president. He wanted the oracle, and he got his man. But I hear the Liberal Party president has retreated to his coastal hideaway. While the Business Bureau can provide advisory services and rapid response teams in difficult times, greater assistance is required. That is why I have asked the Business Bureau to reach out to Minister Dib and the Reconstruction Authority to help with this monumental disaster.
