Ken Wyatt (Hasluck, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to extend my congratulations to the winners of the highly competitive 2014 Hanson Swan Business Awards. Congratulations to Campbell Giles of Giles Jones First National Real Estate in Midland on winning the Business Person of the Year Award 2014 for his outstanding results and exceptional customer service. Congratulations to Melanie Ellis and Teresa Davies of Lenard's Ellenbrook and Midland Gate who took home the Retail Business Award for their friendly and enthusiastic team offering quality products. Anthony Yurisich, the wine maker at Olive Farm Wines and The Cheese Barrel in the Swan Valley, was the recipient of the Hospitality Award for their fresh and unique concept for the local, interstate and international community. Sam and Daymon Rogers of Cushion Factory in Bellevue received the Manufacturing Award for their streamlined online process offering quality custom cushions and covers, establishing themselves as a go-to custom cushion and furniture cover manufacturer. Congratulations to Kim Boalch of Swan Valley Tours for winning the Tourism and Website Services Award three years in a row and consequently being inducted into the hall of fame. They facilitated Professor Jimmy Choo's visit to the Swan Valley and have been recommended by the New York Times as a 'thing to do in Perth'.

Jana Wilson of Gidgegannup Pharmacy won the Best New Business Award for establishing the pharmacy as a local fixture in the community through her friendly customer service. Edward Semeniuk of Wallis Drilling in Midvale received the Apprentice of the Year Award for his drive for excellence and exceptional work ethic. Patty Williams of Shanks Pony Tours in Midland received the Judges Innovation Award for her creative tours that have captured the history and secrets of her local community in Midland and Guildford. Louise Richardson and Lorelai Campbell of Soapbox PR in Guildford were the recipients of the Professional Services award for their passion and enthusiasm for their clients' needs resulting in a stronger business community. Congratulations to Michael K Elliot of Plantman Equipment in Bellevue who received both the Swan Business of the Year award and the Mining Services Award for their reliable and valued service to the community. Brett and Jody Carney of Bax Security Services in Midland were the recipients of the Quality Customer Service Award by combining their experiences as a former police officer and their quality-focused approach. Congratulations to all of these outstanding local businesses who were rightly recognised in the annual Swan Business Awards. I, along with the Liberal East Metropolitan Team, proudly support these awards every year. Unfortunately I could not make it to the awards this year; however, I heard that it was an outstanding night, as is expected for these prestigious awards.

Small business is the engine room of our economy and the mainstay of our local community. This government is committed to helping small business and family enterprises get a better deal from government. We have already started to reduce business costs by scrapping the carbon tax and cutting red-tape to create the right environment for small businesses to grow and prosper. One issue that small businesses across Hasluck consistently raise with me is the need to reduce the GST-free import threshold to keep their businesses competitive and viable. Currently, the threshold allows shoppers to buy up to $1,000 worth of overseas goods online GST-free. Compared with our neighbours across the Tasman, who have their threshold set at NZ$220, this is incredibly high. I have raised this issue with my colleagues here in the House and will continue to fight for a fair go for Hasluck's local small business community. I encourage business owners to get in touch with me and let me know how this issue affects them directly. I have already heard from many in Hasluck, however, and I am sure there are plenty more stories to tell. It is important that we encourage the growth of small business—it is the backbone of our economy and it gives the opportunity for local people to be employed, to become part of their regional and community economy but also, equally, to contribute to a much broader area around them. I congratulate all of the winners of the awards and I look forward to a continued working relationship with them all.