Small businesses put pollies to work
Small businesses across New South Wales this week are once again be putting their local politicians to work as part of the NSW Business Chamber annual Pollies for Small Business program.
Don Page, Member for Ballina, will be visiting Ballina Chamber of Commerce and Industry member, Ballina Natural Medicine Clinic, from 11am on Thursday. That will occur after Mr Page has spent time with Byron Shire-based Leisurescape Garden and Design Centre from 9am.
Manager of the Ballina Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nadia Eliott-Burgess, said the NSW Business Chamber Pollies for Small Business program provided local MPs with the opportunity to experience first-hand what its like to run a small business.
“This program is vital in ensuring politicians have a clearer understanding of what it is really like to be a small business owner,” she said.
“The Parliamentarians do everything from pull beer, plant trees, serve coffee, sell appliances and even have been known to fill in a BAS statement. It’s a terrific way for MPs to see first-hand how their decisions impact on small businesses.
“Small business plays a key role in providing jobs for local communities and it is important that decision-makers understand how the laws and regulations they create impact upon businesses.”
NSW Business Chamber CEO Kevin MacDonald said that with all the attention given to big-picture issues like climate change, occupational, health and safety and interest rates by our politicians, this program is a fantastic opportunity for politicians to see first hand how these issues are actually affecting small businesses.
“Last year we had 90 Members of Parliament participating and involved members from all political parties and the independents,” Mr MacDonald said.
“This is a great program and our chambers and businesses throughout NSW have found it very useful in helping business people and MPs understand each other better.”
