Media Releases

Member for Lowan, Minister Hugh Delahunty will join western Victoria councils and businesses in promoting the region to Melburnians at this weekend’s Regional Victoria Living Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

Minister Delahunty said all western Victorian councils and a host of businesses would showcase what the region had to offer at the 27-29 April Expo, which is expected to attract up to 10,000 people.

“For anyone considering a move, Western Victoria has everything you need,” Minister Delahunty said.

“The region, which boasts 25 per cent of Victoria’s wetlands, offers a relaxed, country lifestyle and is renowned for its national parks, spectacular wilderness, historic wineries and country hospitality.

“It also offers an attractive range of lifestyle choices from urban inner city living to peaceful rural blocks or affordable homes in smaller communities.

“Cultural events, impressive art galleries and an abundance of year-round sporting activities contribute to a relaxed, country lifestyle.

“As far as job opportunities go, western Victoria is Australia’s best performing grain-growing area, producing 70 per cent of Victoria’s grain, and is home to a vibrant manufacturing sector.

“Other employment areas include education and training, manufacturing, health and professional services, retail, hospitality, tourism and transport.

 “I congratulate all the western Victoria organisations participating in the 2012 Regional Victoria Living Expo and I’m sure they will do our fantastic region proud.”

Minister Delahunty said the free Expo would bring together all Victoria’s rural and regional councils as well as exhibitors under one roof at MCEC, making it easy to explore everything regional Victoria had to offer.

“The Expo will give Melbourne residents and businesses all the information they need when considering relocating to regional and rural Victoria, including promotion of education, housing and career opportunities,” Minister Delahunty said.

“It will provide all 48 regional and rural councils with an opportunity to promote the benefits and opportunities available in their areas so they can attract residents, skilled workers, business and investment.

“It will also showcase career, education and business opportunities and housing and lifestyle benefits.

“Expo visitors will discover that Victoria’s regional and rural areas provide huge advantages in livability, jobs, education and business viability that are at least the equal of those on offer in Melbourne.”

For more information visit rdv.vic.gov.au/expo

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said small business information, support
and mentoring will be coming to the streets of Hamilton, when the Victorian Government’s
Mobile Business Centre returns to town soon.
“The Mobile Business Centre will be located outside Darriwill Farm, 169 Gray Street Hamilton
on Tuesday 1 May from 10.00am to 4.00pm,” Mr Delahunty said.
Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said the Mobile Business Centre will give small businesses
in Hamilton access to valuable information about programs and services, including the latest
schedule of business skills workshops.
Minister for Innovation, Services, and Small Business Louise Asher said the Mobile Business
Centre will again be delivering free business mentoring and face-to-face assistance to
Victorian small businesses.
“The Mobile Business Centre is designed to help people start, plan and grow their business.
Small business operators can access business tools and tips and the on-board mentoring
service provides a fresh pair of eyes to look at a business objectively.
“Last year the Mobile Business Centre visited over 70 locations across Victoria and provided
more than 750 mentoring sessions to small businesses”, Ms Asher said.
“Small business operators are often too busy to seek information or guidance. By having the
Mobile Business Centre in Hamilton, they won’t have to travel far to access business mentors,”
Mr Delahunty said.
Other Mobile Business Centre locations and information on how to book a mentoring session
can be found at business.vic.gov.au/mbc or by calling Small Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty announced today small businesses
in the Horsham area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information
on greening their businesses or on financial management thanks to forthcoming
seminars.
“The Green Your Business, Grow Your Business seminar would be held at Horsham
Business Centre at 6pm on Tuesday 1 May and the Understanding Financial
Statements seminar would be held at Wimmera Business Centre at 6pm on Thursday
3 May,” Mr Delahunty said.
“This is a great opportunity for Horsham businesses to obtain professional business
advice to assist them,” Mr Delahunty said.
Last year more than 3,000 businesses throughout the state participated in Small
Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars. Through the program, businesses and
prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make
informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.
Popular topics in the program include starting up, financial management, employing
people and marketing.
All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who
are well-qualified and experienced in small business.
Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition
Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the
economy of the state.
“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to
creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create
employment,” Ms Asher said.
For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go
to: www.business.vic.gov.au/workshops

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said small businesses in the Horsham area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on organising your business thanks to a forthcoming seminar.

“The Get Your Business Organised seminar will be held at the Wimmera Business Centre at 6pm on Tuesday 17 April,” Mr Delahunty said.

“This is a great opportunity for Horsham businesses to obtain expert professional business advice at a convenient location and for a low cost.”

Last year more than 3,000 businesses throughout the state participated in Small Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars.  Through the program, businesses and prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.

Popular topics in the program include starting up, financial management, employing people and marketing.

All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business.

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the economy of the state.

Mr Delahunty said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the economy of the state.

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” Mr Delahunty said.

For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/businessevents

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is encouraging residents of the Lowan electorate that the 2012 Telstra Business Award nominations close on 2nd April, 2012.
“I encourage residents to publicly recognise outstanding local businesses by nominating them for the 2012 Telstra Business Awards,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Some of the most innovative and successful businesses in Victoria can be found right here in western Victoria”, Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said 2012 is another milestone year for the Telstra Business Awards as they now include the new “HTC Start-Up Award” for small to medium businesses which have been operating between one and three years.

“The Telstra Business Awards provide a great opportunity for small and medium local businesses to gain recognition on a national stage for all the hard – and excellent – work they do in and around the community.”

Awards are offered in the following categories:
• HTC Start Up Award – for businesses that have been operating for between one and three years and have up to 200 employees
• News Ltd Micro-Business Award (businesses with up to 5 employees)
• MYOB Small Business Award (businesses with 5 to 20 employees)
• Commonwealth Bank Medium Business Award (businesses with 20 to 200 employees)
• Telestra Regional Business Award (for businesses located outside metropolitan Melbourne)
Mr Delahunty said this is the 20th year Telstra has run the awards recognising excellence in small and medium business both nationally and in every state and entrants would complete for a total prize pool of $500,000 in cash and prizes.
To Nominate visit www.telstrabusinessawards.com or phone 1800 262 323.
Nominations close on 2nd April 2012.

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said small businesses throughout the Lowan Electorate looking to boost productivity or enhance export potential could be eligible for State Government funding support,

“The second round of the Coalition Government’s Competitive Business Fund is now open and offers two streams of assistance on a co-contribution basis.”

Mr Delahunty said that the grants were aimed at helping local businesses invest in new equipment, infrastructure, technology and product or process innovation to improve their competitiveness, productivity and export potential.

“By working in partnership with business to drive new investment, these grants boost innovation, create high value jobs and strengthen Victoria and the economy of western Victoria,” he said.

Under the Enterprise stream, up to $250,000 was available for a project involving one company, to be matched by a minimum of $3 for every $1 granted.

The Supply Chain stream offers up to $500,000 for a collaborative project involving multiple companies, to be matched by a minimum $2 for every $1 granted.

Funding can be used for investments that increase a company’s or supply chain’s productivity and competitiveness, including:

• Purchase/upgrades of plant and equipment or technology;
• Upgrades to existing infrastructure;
• Improvement/enhancement of capabilities or skills;
• Adoption of new processes;
• Development of an innovative product, process or market that will generate broader benefits to the community;
• Mergers and acquisitions that will create sustainable growth oriented entities;
• Collaborative projects among multiple businesses that facilitate greater business growth; and
• Demonstration projects where knowledge is shared across industry which leads to significant productivity improvement.

 

The online application form and guidelines are available from www.business.vic.gov.au or by calling Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

Applications close on April 8. 2011.

Small businesses in the Horsham area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on organising their businesses thanks to a forthcoming seminar announced today by the Member for Lowan, Hon Hugh Delahunty MP.

Mr Delahunty said the Get Your Business Organised seminar would be held at the Wimmera Business Centre at 6pm on Thursday 31 March.

“This event is delivered by Small Business Victoria in partnership with the Horsham Business Enterprise Centre,” he said.

“It is a great opportunity for Horsham businesses to obtain expert professional business advice at a convenient location and for a low cost.”

Small Business Victoria’s Workshop and Seminar Program is being delivered throughout the state, with over 3,000 small businesses likely to benefit during the course of 2011.

It provides businesses and prospective business owners with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.

The program covers topics including: starting up; financial management; employing people; and marketing. All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business.

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the life of the State.

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” she said.

For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/workshops

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed a new education campaign to help local people to be better equipped to identify and avoid con men and con women posing as tradespeople.

“Lowan residents are not immune to unscrupulous tradespeople and scammers ripping off vulnerable people with dodgy home repairs,” Mr Delahunty said

“Unsolicited door to door salespeople are a major concern for many residents throughout the region.

“The pink batt debacle highlighted that there are unscrupulous tradespeople around who are prepared to ‘rip off’ consumers with shoddy workmanship which can have dangerous outcomes.”

The joint education campaign will be run between Consumer Affairs Victoria and Crime Stoppers Victoria and will give consumers the confidence to say ‘no’ to unwelcome tradespeople.

“The campaign is aimed at protecting consumers, their homes and their pockets by making people aware of how to spot a travelling con man or woman.

“These are the sort of people who often prey on vulnerable consumers in regional Victoria, and in particular householders affected by the recent flooding should be on their guard,” Mr Delahunty said.

Signs that an offer of home repairs may be dubious include someone looking like a tradesperson who knocks on your door uninvited; the quote on home repair services is cheap, cash-only or today-only; and the person demands payment for the job before any work has commenced.

“Changes to the Fair Trading Bill in 2010 have enabled new provisions to regulate fair trading laws to better protect consumers and includes the provision to prevent door to door salespeople from contacting households after 6.00pm.

“This new education campaign will further help residents throughout western Victoria to protect themselves from dubious tradespeople.”

Mr Delahunty said that anyone who suspects a travelling con man or woman is operating in their area should contact Consumer Affairs on 1300 55 8181.