GRIEVANCE DEBATE
Ms FERNANDO (Holt) (13:01): I recently had the pleasure of hosting the very first Holt Local Business Excellence Awards. Small businesses are the heartbeat of Holt. Whether it's a cafe, a trade business, a professional service, a family business or a new startup, these are the people who take risks, create local jobs, support families and keep our suburbs running.
Importantly, the night was also about recognising the support networks behind them—the partners who help after hours, the kids who spend weekends at the shop, and the staff who become like family. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 13:02 to 13:15 Ms FERNANDO: Before the suspension, I was saying that I recently had the pleasure of hosting the very first Holt Local Business Excellence Awards.
Small businesses are the heartbeat of Holt. Whether it's a cafe, a trade business, a professional service, a family business or a new start up, these are the people who take risks, create local jobs, support families and keep our suburbs running. Importantly, the night was also about recognising the support networks behind them—the partners who help after hours, the kids who spend weekends at the shop and the staff who become like family.
I know things are hard right now. Costs are rising and global pressures are being felt here at home. Many small businesses are feeling that same pressure every day.
That is exactly why supporting our small businesses is so important. Australia's 2.7 million small businesses are the backbone of our economy and, in this federal budget, the government is backing small businesses with $3.5 billion in new business tax relief. We are making the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent, giving small businesses more certainty when investing in new equipment, tools and technology.
We are also introducing a permanent two-year loss carryback, helping businesses bounce back faster and withstand unexpected economic volatility. For start ups and innovators, we are introducing loss refundability to help new businesses grow in their first two years. And, for our 1.5 million sole traders, we are introducing a $250 tax offset to directly lower your tax burden.
These measures are about backing the people who back our community. That same spirit is what the Holt Local Business Excellence Awards were all about—recognising the local businesses that go above and beyond for our community. I want to congratulate our five outstanding award winners.
Brian's Gourmet Meats in Lyndhurst was awarded for community contribution. It is a much-loved Lyndhurst butcher known for quality meat, gluten-free prepared meals and friendly local service. They are also a business that gives back, supporting the community through their weekly community barbecue with the local church.
Businesses like this are a part of everyday life in our suburbs, supporting local families and contributing to the community around them. Taste of Bharat in Cranbourne received the new business award. It is a fantastic Indian restaurant on High Street in Cranbourne and it has quickly become a local favourite.
Varsha Hair and Beauty in Hampton Park was recognised for great customer service. It consistently provides exceptional hair and beauty services, making our local community look and feel their absolute best. Red Earth Flowers was awarded for innovation and sustainability.
It is a vibrant local florist with decades of floral expertise. They create beautiful arrangements for every occasion, from weddings to celebrations and moments of sympathy and care. Finally, Spin A Yarn, a beautiful local cafe and yarn store in Cranbourne West run by two inspiring mothers, received the women in business award.
It has become a warm and creative space where people can enjoy a coffee, connect with others and share the love of craft. It also happens to be located right next door to my electorate office. To every business that was nominated: congratulations.
Being nominated means someone in our community saw your hard work and believed it deserved recognition. That in itself is something to be incredibly proud of. I also want to thank every local who took time to put a nomination forward.
As the federal member for Holt, I will always back our local businesses and stand up for them here in Canberra, because when small businesses do well our Holt community thrives. From the small businesses that keep our suburbs moving to the volunteers who quietly strengthen our community, Holt is full of people who give so much to others. I visited Casey Manor aged care to celebrate National Volunteer Week.
Casey Manor is a 45-bed aged-care home that provides care, support and connection for older members of our local community. I had previously visited Casey Manor during the Melbourne Cup and the warmth of the residents and staff left a lasting impression on me, so I genuinely was delighted to return for a special morning tea to recognise the eight incredible volunteers who give their time, compassion and energy to enrich the lives of residents every single day.
Aged-care volunteers are often the quiet heroes of our community. They provide companionship, a listening ear, support with activities and countless moments of joy. I want to thank the entire Casey Manor team for inviting me, and I look forward to visiting again.
National Volunteer Week was also a great opportunity to recognise the remarkable work of volunteers and volunteer based organisation across the electorate of Holt. Whether you serve in aged care, community support, sporting clubs, charities, emergency services, multicultural organisations or local groups, your dedication and selflessness do not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do.
That brings me to a fantastic event that took place in my electorate, one that focused on helping young Australians better understand our democracy. For the very first time, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP, visited Holt to deliver an informative and interactive parliamentary education session to children from the BAPS community in Cranbourne.
It was wonderful to see young people so engaged as they learnt about our parliament. The Speaker spoke to them about his role in the chair and how debates are conducted and how we, as members, make decisions and represent our local communities. Civics education is incredibly important.
Sessions like this make parliament feel accessible to young Australians. When children understand how our democracy works, they're more likely to feel connected to it and confident that their voices truly matter. I want to thank the Speaker for taking time to visit Holt and for engaging so warmly with our local youth.
I also want to thank the BAPS community in Cranbourne for hosting this wonderful session and the vital role they continue to play in bringing together our community through faith, service and culture.