Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

All around the world, some of the smartest, most innovative minds are working out how communities can come together to solve their problems at grass-roots level with the emergence of new structures like social impact investing, formalised sharing economy, resurgence of cooperatives and profit-for-purpose businesses, known as social enterprises.

In Parramatta, we are resilient, we are creative and we are enormously powerful when we come together as a community to solve our problems. The explosion of social enterprises in our communities is testament to this. There is Darcy St Project, who train at-risk young people in how to roast and make fabulous coffee. There is Fitted for Work, who help women to re-enter the workforce through mentorship and makeovers. Addventageous teaches cycling and unicycling to young people and migrant women—and me in coming weeks. The Blue House Project sells coffee, washes cars and sells books to assist homeless youth that are housed there. Jafra Catering's team of Palestinean mums and Diaspora Connect's asylum seeker staff provide delicious catering. Angkor Flowers & Crafts sell beautiful bouquets and helps people—mainly refugees—to blossom. Parramatta Clay and Arts provides employment and opportunity for local artists. The Fair Go Driving School provides affordable driving lessons to those who need it. Taste Food Tours uses local guides to forge social connections through food. And Collaboratory on the Parramatta River provides space and support for other emerging social enterprises. Congratulations to all our social enterprises of Parramatta. You are a great addition to our community.