Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): Today I rise to acknowledge the many thousands of small, medium and large businesses in my community doing it tough.

We have many sole traders and family owned and run businesses – from the eateries, music venues and stores on our main streets, to the manufacturers, makers and growers dotted across our suburbs.

Many of you have accessed JobKeeper and it’s been a lifeline. Yet as that payment reduces, I know the stress levels increase.

But many have also fallen fowl of the definitions placed on JobKeeper and that’s made life, and business survival, even harder.

Some months ago I wrote to the Federal Minister for Industrial Relations about this. Sadly, I’m yet to receive his response.

The State Government’s $3 billion dollar business support package has been a lifeline for many – but still not everyone has met the eligibility.

I’m determined to make sure support gets to where it’s needed.

We’ve already had some exciting announcements for our live music venues – I want to see that momentum continue and I will not stop working to make sure Northcote residents and businesses get the support, investment and jobs creation we need to thrive into the future.

Later this week I’ll meet Darebin Council’s CEO to relay feedback from traders about how outdoor dining can work.

Last month I held a forum with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer so that he could hear first-hand from our traders and traders associations.

Now I’m asking local businesses to join me and the Assistant Treasurer later this month to discuss the how we can best support businesses to thrive. You can register on my website.

My commitment is to keep working in solidarity with you along every step of this difficult road.