Ms BATH (Eastern Victoria) (11:59): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Minister, Mark Effenberg owns Morwell’s Out of Dough bakery. He is struggling to survive. During lockdown 5 his daily turnover crashed by 83 per cent. He lost thousands of dollars as orders from sporting clubs, hospitality venues and schools were cancelled and he was forced to throw out thousands of dollars of food. In 2020 Mr Effenberg received a business assistance program grant, but this year your government changed the criteria. It is the same business, the same lockdowns, but no support. Minister, why did the Andrews government delete Australian and New Zealand standard industrial classification (ANZSIC) code 1174 and therefore bar Mr Effenberg from any help?
Ms BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:03): Minister, I feel like, on behalf of my constituent, that we have just been kneaded, doughed and put in the oven on that response. The truth is that people are exhausted. This gentleman’s business has dropped 83 per cent, and you said on Tuesday that extra support will ‘ensure that our wonderful small businesses have every opportunity to emerge in decent shape’. Well, I put it to you, Minister, that it is very hard for people to get into decent shape if they are not given the due response and grant system. So will you promise to instate code 1174 so that Out of Dough and many other businesses like it can qualify for the support they deserve?
