Shadow Minister for Small Business Dan van Holst Pellekaan has praised the Commonwealth Government for their $5.5 billion jobs and small business package announced in their 2015 Budget.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan has called on State Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis to continue what the Commonwealth Government has started by focusing on small businesses in next month’s State Budget.

“The small business package announced yesterday by the Commonwealth Government is a great way to kick-start our State’s economy,” said Mr van Holst Pellekaan.

“The Commonwealth Government has acted by providing much needed tax relief, a reduction in red tape and numerous other specific initiatives to get our economy going in the right direction.

“In a few weeks Treasurer Koutsantonis will hand down the State Budget and I call on him to keep the momentum created by the Commonwealth Government going by providing a strong focus on the small business sector.

“Growth in small business including new start-ups will employ extra staff and be the key to fixing our state’s job crises.

“The small business sector will help fill the gap when Holden ceases manufacturing in 2017.

“It is vital we get the conditions right for small business to invest more, grow and create new jobs.

“South Australian small businesses are the key to our state’s economic success.”