Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:39): My constituency question is for the Minister for Small Business. Recently a constituent contacted me who runs a honey farm and bee rescue business in Ellerslie. He told me how his business is on the brink of collapse and has been run into the ground by this government. I can only assume this government hates small business. Due to lockdowns and unrealistic restrictions my constituent has no ability to remove problematic beehives or sell honey at markets, and the store outlets selling his products have been closed. He cannot deliver bee education talks either. He has lost all his income flow and was told by the government that he should wait for their announcements of financial assistance. When the announcements came, his business was not eligible—surprise, surprise. Minister, how do you expect small businesses, particularly sole traders, to survive under your government’s business-destroying restrictions?