Hastings electorate
Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (14:42): (155) My question is for the Minister for Small Business. Minister, this week, 15 to 21 May, is Australian Made Week. Australian Made Week is an opportunity to showcase the fantastic small businesses in our state and across Australia. I note that 98 per cent of all businesses in Victoria are small businesses, and four out of five shoppers believe that buying Australian made is important. In my electorate of Hastings we have some amazing small businesses creating Australian-made local products. These range from Hey Laidy, a small business that creates limited edition handcrafted guitar, camera and bag straps in Tyabb, to Ript Furniture, a small family business that hand builds timber dog crates, buffet units and other furniture at Langwarrin. The Small Business Bus recently visited Hastings as well. Other than the Small Business Bus, can the minister advise how businesses in my electorate can get further support through Business Victoria for their business needs so that we can continue to support and shop local?