Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Small business is the engine room of our economy. It's a driver of growth and tourism and a source of jobs for millions of people right across our nation. Small business offers opportunity to people to thrive, succeed and live a fulfilling life.

As a small-business owner, I back in small business and so does the Albanese Labor government. We recognise small business right across the nation, with Commonwealth subsidies to provide energy bill relief and an extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off. These policies build on our grant programs that are delivering targeted supports to small businesses right across the nation.

In my electorate of Corangamite in Victoria, two amazing local businesses have received energy efficiency grants to bring down operating costs. Adelia Fine Foods in Ocean Grove received funding of more than $24,000 to upgrade their food processing machinery. One of the business owners, Amelia, said the business is investing in a new energy efficient automation process for the temporary finishing of chocolate for its rocky road range of gluten-free treats—and they are good. It's an upgrade that will reduce power consumption by 50 per cent. Amelia said, 'With the support of this grant, we're excited to take this next important step towards greater energy efficiency in our operations.'

This is just one example of our work to support local small business. In Torquay, Bells Beach Brewing received an energy efficiency grant of more than $23,000 to replace inefficient hot water systems with modern heat pump technology, swap energy draining lights for new LEDs and upgrade commercial refrigeration. This will help bring down costs for one of my region's favourite breweries—it's a winner—and I'm proud to be part of a government that is backing in small business.

We're also backing in small business by building a more skilled workforce through free TAFE. Free TAFE is changing lives. New data from the states and territories showed free TAFE is being embraced and, of course, completions are delivering new employment prospects for countless Australians. More than 170,000 Australians have now completed a free TAFE course, whilst more than 650,000 have taken up the offer of free TAFE, since it began in early 2023. Many of these students are still studying at TAFE right now, with many more students soon to enter the workforce.

For small business, this is a gamechanger. It will mean more opportunities for small businesses to expand their horizons and take on the workers of the future. This is a win-win-win: a win for workers, a win for small business and a win for Australia.

I'm also proud that we have so many small businesses being created. Our Treasurer said recently that 25,000 firms were being created each month, despite the headwinds that have been facing our economy. We know there is great uncertainty in the global economy, and our government is responding to this by engaging with our regional trading partners and creating certainty for businesses to invest in their assets, technology, energy and workers. But we know there's much more to do, and I'm confident that our August productivity roundtable will go some way towards addressing the challenges we are facing together as a nation.

In closing: the Albanese government is working together with sectors across the nation to ensure that small business can thrive. I know that many small business representatives will soon join with our Treasurer at the upcoming productivity roundtable. And I know our new Minister for Small Business is absolutely focused on continuing the important work of delivering for the amazing small businesses we have across our nation and across our regions. What is good for small business is good for Australians.

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