Fledgling Businesses Rely on Solid Support
Greens spokesperson for Economic Development, Tim Morris MP, said that it is imperative that emerging and expanding local and small businesses had access to support when necessary and that the apparent move to reduce the numbers is out of step with the current effort to assist job creation and retention in regional and rural areas.
Mr Morris also pointed to the fact that Pennicott Wilderness Cruises, a former national recipient of Tourism and Small Business awards, is an example of successful collaboration with the local Business Enterprise Centres.
“The Minister has serious questions to answer here. At a time where regional and rural Tasmania is crying out for help creating jobs, an important tool which has a proven track record, now appears to be being wound down on the sly,” Mr Morris said.
“The previous broader Local Enterprise Initiative network had already been rationalised into the current eight regional Business Enterprise Centres.”
“My office has been receiving contact from concerned current operators that may now be further reduced to just two.”
“Despite the tender process for the six Business Enterprise Centres in question stating contracts would be awarded on the first of July, it is disturbing that no information has been forthcoming from either the minister or the department to confirm their intentions for the future of these centres.”
“If there are plans in place to operate the centres under a reformed structure then now is the time to clear this up, however if the centres are being closed down for good then we have a serious problem, the local communities who rely on these centres have a serious problem, and the current employees now out of work have a serious problem.”
“We know that local businesses provide a stronger economy and nurturing these businesses is crucial.”
“Small Business is the engine room of the State’s economy, and we know we have to diversify our local economies by supporting and fostering local entrepreneurship.”
“A good example is Pennicott’s Wilderness tours, they started small but grew into larger employer with the help of support.”
“Every Tasmanian business should have access to good, contemporary advice and these centres have a track record of success in this area.”
“These centres provide an opportunity to network face to face with other entrepreneurs and learn from experienced staff, they contribute significantly to local communities and reinforce local economies.”
“Just last week the Premier hosted a forum to try and tackle the issue of unemployment in the state and this week we receive news that small businesses could be having an important support network torn from underneath them.”
“It’s highly unusual for a tender process to conclude in this fashion, it seems that the operators had no idea that they would be unsuccessful.”
Website: http://www.enterprisecentres.tas.gov.au/
Tim Morris MP Greens Economic Development Spokesperson
