Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:37): My question is for the Minister for Small Business. Minister, last week an extraordinary coalition of business representative organisations from regional Victoria came together to write to the Premier in response to the recent statewide five-day shutdown. The 17 signatories included six committees for cities and nine regional chambers of commerce and tourism—an unprecedented coalition representing 25 per cent of the state’s population. Noting your dismissal of my question on Haymes Paint last sitting, you should note it included Commerce Ballarat, the Committee for Ballarat and Ballarat Regional Tourism. Minister, this constructive letter calls for a more nuanced approach to shutting down areas and regions, because of the impact on businesses, including small businesses. Will you adopt a more nuanced approach to future lockdowns, as requested?