Victoria’s Small Business Sector Gets An Expert Voice

The Andrews Labor Government today appointed a Small Business Ministerial Council to support and advise on critical issues concerning Victoria’s 530,000 plus small businesses.

The Council’s role will be to encourage small business to innovate and grow in a dynamic environment, understand and ease regulatory red tape, ensure opportunities to promote the role of women and young people and voice issues that concern small business.

With more than half a million small businesses in Victoria, the council will provide an essential link to government to ensure the sector is heard.

The Chair of the Council will be Peter Zigouras, Managing Director and owner of Frankston Concrete Products. Mr Zigouras brings over 40 years of small business experience to the panel.

The council is appointed for a two-year term and will meet quarterly and as required. New council members include:

• Mr Peter Zigouras, Chair – Managing Director, Frankston Concrete Products
• Mr David Bayliss – Chief Executive Officer, Setec
• Ms Kathryn Bordonaro – Managing Director, Allbiz Finance Brokers Pty Ltd
• Mr Michael Burke – Owner, Belgian Beer Café, Malvern Hotel
• Ms Jenny Chin – Director, 21^st Century Newspaper
• Ms Angela Ciliberto – Director, C-Direct Pty Ltd
• Ms Gael Cracknell – Managing Director, Action Recruitment Pty Ltd
• Mr David Gregory – Chief Executive Officer, Small Business Mentoring Service
• Mr Graham Henderson – Part-owner, Mitchell Laminates
• Mr David Mann – Director, Mann Promotions Pty Ltd
• Ms Teresa Mitchell – Executive Member, Warragul Business Group
• Mr Suresh Sutrave – Director, Chirag Tooling Pty Ltd
• Ms Laurice Temple – Managing Director, Quantum Creators Pty Ltd
• Ms Bernadette Uzelac – Chief Executive, Geelong Chamber of Commerce
• Ms Corina Vucic – Director, Franchise Careers Pty Ltd

Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis

“With the small business sector representing 97.5 per cent of Victoria’s total businesses, we are providing the sector with the expert support that will help create a more competitive environment for local economies to grow and create jobs.”

“The appointment of Ms Uzelac is particularly important in our commitment to supporting small businesses in regional Victoria, ensuring they have a direct line to government to address any challenges or concerns.”