Mr REID —I want to report to this House that last week the Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism (Mr Moore) made an announcement regarding an alternative equity market to be established, and BSX Syndicate in Bendigo was successful in attracting some federal government funds for this proposal. The Bendigo Bank is a member of that syndicate as well as Ernst and Young, the large accountancy firm, the City of Greater Bendigo and principals of the Bendigo Stock Exchange.

The Bendigo Stock Exchange has a very colourful history dating right back to the 1880s when it was a participant in listings of goldmining shares in the Bendigo area and, of course, a very vigorous exchange and attracted a lot of attention. In fact, it was one of the busiest exchanges in Australia's history.

The BSX Syndicate has brought forward a very high-tech alternative market where people seeking equity or capital injections into their business for small to medium sized enterprises can in fact contribute to this market by a matching scheme, which will be done by through high-teching through the Internet and other high-tech systems. It will provide the opportunity for small to medium sized enterprises to participate in equity funding. (Time expired)