1. Media Contact: Caitlin Walsh 0429 897 804 | caitlin.walsh@minstaff.vic.gov.au
Tuesday, 9 February, 2016
VICTORIA’S SMALL BUSINESS SECTOR GETS AN EXPERT VOICE
The Andrews Labor Government today appointed a Small Business Ministerial Council to support and advise on
critical issues concerning Victoria’s 530,000 plus small businesses.
The Council’s role will be to encourage small business to innovate and grow in a dynamic environment,
understand and ease regulatory red tape, ensure opportunities to promote the role of women and young people
and voice issues that concern small business.
With more than half a million small businesses in Victoria, the council will provide an essential link to government
to ensure the sector is heard.
The Chair of the Council will be Peter Zigouras, Managing Director and owner of Frankston Concrete Products. Mr
Zigouras brings over 40 years of small business experience to the panel.
The council is appointed for a two-year term and will meet quarterly and as required. New council members
include:
Mr Peter Zigouras, Chair – Managing Director, Frankston Concrete Products
Mr David Bayliss – Chief Executive Officer, Setec
Ms Kathryn Bordonaro – Managing Director, Allbiz Finance Brokers Pty Ltd
Mr Michael Burke – Owner, Belgian Beer Café, Malvern Hotel
Ms Jenny Chin – Director, 21st
Century Newspaper
Ms Angela Ciliberto – Director, C-Direct Pty Ltd
Ms Gael Cracknell – Managing Director, Action Recruitment Pty Ltd
Mr David Gregory – Chief Executive Officer, Small Business Mentoring Service
Mr Graham Henderson – Part-owner, Mitchell Laminates
Mr David Mann – Director, Mann Promotions Pty Ltd
Ms Teresa Mitchell – Executive Member, Warragul Business Group
Mr Suresh Sutrave – Director, Chirag Tooling Pty Ltd
Ms Laurice Temple – Managing Director, Quantum Creators Pty Ltd
Ms Bernadette Uzelac – Chief Executive, Geelong Chamber of Commerce
Ms Corina Vucic – Director, Franchise Careers Pty Ltd
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis
“With the small business sector representing 97.5 per cent of Victoria’s total businesses, we are providing the
sector with the expert support that will help create a more competitive environment for local economies to grow
and create jobs.”
“The appointment of Ms Uzelac is particularly important in our commitment to supporting small businesses in
regional Victoria, ensuring they have a direct line to government to address any challenges or concerns.”