November 4, 2013
The best gift you can give a young East Gippslander this Christmas is the chance of getting a job in our region.
Most of us are well aware that by shopping locally or utilising local tradesmen and contractors we will retain a strong small business sector and help to create jobs and opportunities for young people to have a future in our region.
It’s been interesting to watch the increased focus on supporting local businesses and Australian made products over the past 12 months.
Throughout this year, initiatives such as ‘Too Big To Ignore’ and ‘Shop Small’ campaigns have been driven by the Australian small business community to highlight these benefits to a national audience.
Now as we approach the festive season the message is even more important.
Before you fill up the car up and head to a Melbourne shopping centre, take a closer look at what’s available in our community. Our region has a wide range of outstanding and innovative business owners and Christmas is the perfect time to give them a chance to impress.
Local small business owners don’t expect to make a sale every time a customer walks through the door but they do appreciate the opportunity to speak directly with customers and work on a deal. Remember, it’s these business owners who support our community and sporting groups, not the big chain stores in Melbourne.
It’s the same when you log on to a website and purchase items from overseas-based firms which don’t pay taxes in Australia and contribute nothing to our nation.
In most cases, Gippsland will never see the benefits of the money you spend online and young people in our region will be forced to leave home to pursue most career options.
Since being elected I have constantly promoted a message of ‘Putting Locals First’ and taking a break in our region to promote local small business.
If you shop locally this Christmas or have a holiday in Gippsland, you will help to give a young Gippslander a job. Nobody could ask for a better present.