I congratulate the winners of the 2025 Blacktown City Local Business Awards. There were 35 categories this year, including awards for antiques, arts and crafts, gifts and the most inclusive employer. I proudly report to the House that 18 of the winners were businesses located within the Blacktown electorate. It was an amazing result.

The Blacktown City Council area is a $26.4 billion economy. If the "Democratic People's Republic of Blacktown" was a standalone nation, it would be larger than 72 of the 195 nations of the world. Blacktown had 33,878 registered businesses in 2024 compared with only 25,000 in 2020, which is a net increase of around 8,000 in the past four years. That means around 40 new businesses were started in Blacktown every single week.

The 300 businesses that were nominated effectively represent the top one per cent of businesses operating in the Blacktown local government area. These are incredible numbers when you compare them with smaller LGAs, and they show why winning a Blacktown City Local Business Award is so prestigious. These businesses contribute enormously to the growth of our community. It is important to recognise these businesses and business owners in Parliament today.

I congratulate Starlight Bakery and its owner, Jeremiah, on winning the Outstanding Bakery/Cake Business award. It is a bit of shame in one way because I have eaten at the bakeries of all 10 nominees. Starlight Bakery is one of the best. I am happy to say that it is located in my home town of Doonside.

I congratulate Winning Smiles Dental Surgery—which is where I need to go after eating so many cakes—and Dr Samreen Kaur and Dr Raman Aulakh on winning the Outstanding Dental Services award.

I congratulate Kids' Early Learning Marayong and director Kristy Zuvela on winning the Outstanding Early Childhood Centre award.

I congratulate Better Vision in Westpoint Blacktown on winning the Outstanding Health Improvement Services award. It is its second win in two years, reflecting the team's commitment to great customer service and outcomes. The entire team are elated that their customers and the community have supported them so strongly.

Meticulous Cleaning Co and founder Leanne Regner won the Outstanding New Business award. Leanne started the business only 2½ years ago with her two daughters and it has grown through word of mouth because of the quality of their services. The family is incredibly proud to be recognised and say it has had an amazingly positive effect on their business.

I congratulate SG Dance and founder Sharni Gallagher on winning the Outstanding Performing Arts award, Family Vets Western Sydney on winning the Outstanding Pet Care award, and Eventspec and founder Chris Condon and managing director Nicole O'Reilly on winning the Outstanding Specialised Business award. It is their first nomination and first win—an amazing accomplishment for a business that took a huge risk starting out of the back of a van during COVID. Eventspec is used to being behind the scenes, but the award has put it in the spotlight and has already brought great benefits and potential clients.

Finally, I thank the sponsors of the awards night, including media partner Blacktown News. In particular, I thank Steve Loe, the founder of the Local Business Awards and managing director of Precedent Productions, for his amazing advocacy and support of local businesses not only in Blacktown but also across New South Wales and Australia for the past 40 years. He had the vision and understanding that it is an important accolade for businesses to be promoted in a competitive environment and receive a best-in-class award. I also thank him for his friendship over the past two decades that I have been attending the awards. I have got to know him as a person who is passionate about businesses and making a difference in his local area.