Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Hastings electorate ministerial visits

Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (19:18): (600) My adjournment matter tonight is for the Treasurer, and the action I seek is for the Treasurer to come down to my electorate to have a meet and greet with some of my local small business owners. As I said in my inaugural speech just over a year ago in this place, it is important to consider and work towards the big things, but just as important are the little things – the small things. In my electorate we have some very large companies with international footprints doing amazing work employing lots of locals and pouring money into our community, but there is truth in the fact that these large companies would struggle to survive or perhaps even exist without the myriad small local businesses that work around them and support them.

I appreciate that the Treasurer in his very difficult role will have a focus on the big end of town with meetings and luncheons, so my invite is extended so he can come and have an opportunity to meet and greet small local business owners and community groups in my electorate to hear about the issues that affect them as small local businesses – not just their struggles but their successes along the way. It will be a wonderful opportunity for them to ask the Treasurer questions so they can better understand the direction that the Allan Labor government is taking in regard to the future of Victoria. I look forward to the Treasurer coming down and spending some time with members in my community.