Thursday, 12 September 2024

North-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:04): (1129) My constituency matter is directed to the Treasurer in the other place. New data from the ABS shows that 150,000 Victorian businesses shut down across 2023–24. Victoria has the worst business growth figures in the nation. In my electorate, businesses within the Suburban Rail Loop precinct, so areas like Kingsway in Glen Waverley and Whitehorse Road in Box Hill, are under additional commercial stress due to disruption from the building works, the uncertainty of planning and tax changes, compulsory acquisitions and increasingly insecurity of tenure due to redevelopment propositions. Businesses are drifting away, and remaining businesses are facing terrible stress. Many have told me they are just months away from having to close their business. To date, the compensation to these businesses from the Suburban Rail Loop Authority has been pitiful, ineffective and in some cases insulting. None is adequate. My question is: will he please provide adequate support?