❓ Question regarding the growth and development of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Western Australia during an economic boom, and the government's response, particularly in regional areas where optimism is lower.
AnsweredQoN 15Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
My question is to another of the miracle makers on the front bench - the Minister for Small Business. With reference to the surging Western Australian economy, and, consequentially, the Labor government’s sound financial management during this economic boom, will the minister advise members of the state of growth and development of small to medium enterprises in Western Australia? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH
My question is to another of the miracle makers on the front bench - the Minister for Small Business. With reference to the surging Western Australian economy, and, consequentially, the Labor government’s sound financial management during this economic boom, will the minister advise members of the state of growth and development of small to medium enterprises in Western Australia? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker - Several opposition members interjected. The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH replied: Mr Speaker - Several opposition members interjected. The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr Speaker - Several opposition members interjected. The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Several opposition members interjected. The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH replied: Mr Speaker - Several opposition members interjected. The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr Speaker - Several opposition members interjected. The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Several opposition members interjected. The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
The SPEAKER : Given that this is the first question that the member for Peel has been asked as a minister, I am sure he would like members opposite to stop interjecting so that he can answer the question. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : After hearing the introduction that the member for Swan Hills gave me, I am almost tempted to sit down immediately while I am in front! There is good news for small business in Western Australia and it demonstrates that the Carpenter Labor government has before it the economic blueprint that has allowed small business to grow rapidly. Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr T.R. Buswell : How? Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : I will tell the member for Vasse. The latest Sensis business index, which was carried out in February, indicates that Western Australian small and medium businesses have far more confidence in their state’s economy than do small and medium businesses in other Australian states. Seventy-six per cent of businesses involved in the Sensis business index indicated that their confidence is such that they are satisfied that their business will continue to grow in Western Australia. Sales and profitability are increasing dramatically. There is an atmosphere that it is time for all of us to grow and benefit from the economy that is being driven by the resources sector. There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
There is one area of small and medium business that is a concern to me; that is, small and medium businesses in the regional areas, more of which believe that the atmosphere that surrounds them will not allow their businesses to grow. It is worrying because figures indicate that optimism in regional Western Australian is lower than elsewhere in Australia. There are a number of reasons for that. It is worrying that at a time that the state is going through - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the third time. Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
Mr N.R. MARLBOROUGH : It is worrying because that area of Western Australia’s small and medium businesses - the regional area - is a key player in the state’s economy. As the new Minister for Small Business, it is worrying that the state’s boom effect is not necessarily flowing into regional areas. I think there are some reasons that the survey is reflecting that, not the least of which is that the survey does not take a big slice of the regional cake when it looks at the whole of Australia. I believe it assessed some 430 regional businesses Australia wide. If we consider that Western Australia makes up 10 per cent of that, members would agree that a very small number were assessed. To the degree that it is a measure of concern of regional small business, it is also a concern for me as the minister involved. What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
What is the government doing? One of the things it is doing is ensuring that the small business networks are more viable. Members may recall that my predecessor looked at the 34 centres that were in place around the state and that, as a result of his inquiry, reduced the number of centres from 34 to 26. In doing so, he increased the budget from $2.2 million to $3.1 million. Larger centres are operating on a stronger financial base and giving advice to small businesses in the regional areas. It is too early to tell whether that model is an improvement on the old model. I will be watching it very carefully. After speaking with representatives of the Bunbury and Northam centres, I know that they are very happy with the increases in their budgets. However, Northam has concerns about putting the new model into practice. I will be working very closely with the people at that centre to ensure that the concerns they have raised with me during the past week can be overcome.
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