Thursday, 17 October 2024

Northern Victoria Region

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:49): (1171) My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Following the devastating floods of October 2022 the owner of a gardening business Leigh Somerville, The City Gardener, applied for a flood small business grant. On 9 December 2022 he received an email advising that his application had been received and was being assessed and he would be contacted if any further information was required. A few days later he received an email confirming that his grant was successful and payment of $5000 was forthcoming and that he was eligible to apply for a $50,000 grant. In September this year Mr Somerville received a phone call and follow-up email from the department, nearly two years after the grant was approved and paid, advising that his application was being reviewed. My constituent is deeply worried about how this has been handled. Just recently he was asked to submit a statutory declaration and was told that it was okay, but he has now been asked to repay the grant and deemed to have been ineligible. Can the minister please advise why small businesses who were unable to work during the floods are being contacted to repay the funds two years later and how many other businesses like his have received similar treatment.