South Australian innovation to continue under new Liberal Government

20 March 2018

The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals predicts South Australia’s reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship will only increase under the new Liberal Government and Premier Steven Marshall.

“South Australia has a proud history of independently minded entrepreneurship and we expect the new Marshall Government to keep driving this. Premier Steven Marshall’s experience as a business owner and in wool exports is fantastic news for our members, as it means he understands the hurdles facing businesses and primary producers today,” said BCCM CEO Melina Morrison.

“Increasing export opportunities is vital for many of BCCM’s members, and we look forward to working with the Marshall Government on their new international trade desk policy to ensure South Australian co-operatives can keep growing new markets,” said Ms Morrison.

“We are also pleased to see this reinforced in the proposed appointment of a Chief Entrepreneur. South Australia has a proud history of co-operation underpinning its entrepreneurship, which has resulted in well-known business successes such as People’s Choice Credit Union, Almondco, Beyond Bank, Master Butchers Co-operative and RAA SA, to name just a few,” said Ms Morrison.

“The South Australian Liberals have a number of proposed policies to support regional communities. For every dollar spent in a co-operative or mutual, it returns 76 cents to the local community, with regional co-operatives delivering everything from retail and banking to medical and aged care services to their local communities.”

Co-operative and mutual businesses drive jobs growth, provide lower costs to consumers, and better services to South Australians. The BCCM calls on the new government to provide a level playing field for the businesses that continue to work hard for South Australia.

“The BCCM will continue to advocate on behalf of co-operatives and mutuals in South Australia to ensure they have access to the same government funding as other business models,” said Ms Morrison.

Cooperatives and mutuals in South Australia:

• 8 in 10 South Australians are members of at least one mutually owned business
• South Australia has the highest per capita users of customer-owned banks and credit unions
• South Australia has Australia’s largest customer-owned supermarket
• The Co-op spent $36 million upgrading its stores in 2017 creating 150 new FT jobs for locals
• South Australia has Australia’s last remaining butchers’ co-operative supporting independent family operated businesses across the State
• The RAA ensures every South Australian has equitable access to roadside assistance no matter where they live