Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

Our plan will create opportunities for Australian small businesses to innovate, to grow and to create those new jobs. When combined with private sector contributions, a new $350 million investment in venture capital will deliver up to $700 million for entrepreneurial SMEs. The government will also invest $27.7 million in the Enterprise Solutions Program to assist SMEs to develop innovative solutions to public sector needs. This is a very important development to those who understand the relationship between small business and government procurement needs in Australia. The successful Enterprise Connect program will be expanded to SMEs in the professional services, ICT, transport and logistics sectors. In all, reforms to the R&D tax incentive will pay for a $1 billion investment in Australian jobs and small businesses, and the fact is that it is the Gillard government that is the only party that puts the interests of ordinary workers and their communities first.