June 25, 2012
Slashing red tape and bureaucracy and axing the carbon tax would help the small business sector prosper in Gippsland, according to local operators.
The issues have been highlighted in a survey distributed to more than 6500 small businesses across the region by The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Businesses are also calling for all levels of government to prioritise the use of local businesses and raised concerns about online shopping.
The surveys are part of Mr Chester’s ‘Putting Locals First’ campaign, which has promoted the benefits of shopping locally to strengthen the local economy and provide job opportunities for young people.
Mr Chester said he would take the survey results to the Party Room during development of The Nationals policy to support small business.
“The survey has been a great way to gauge the views of local businesses on how we can better support the sector into the future,” Mr Chester said.
“The findings relating to bureaucracy, red tape, the carbon tax and online shopping are not new to me and I have raised these issues during Parliamentary forums on a number of occasions.
“I’m keen to take all of issues raised by Gippsland businesses back to my Parliamentary colleagues as we develop our policy to support small business in the lead-up to the next election.”
Mr Chester said local businesses were supporting the concept of Putting Locals First because they understood how critical it was to the future of our region.
“Small businesses are the engine room of our economy and a key driver in job creation. In addition to providing goods or services and creating employment opportunities, they are also the main supporters of local organisations, community groups and sporting clubs,” Mr Chester said.
“As regional communities, it’s critical that we support them by Putting Locals First wherever we can.”