Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, and the Small Business Minister Bruce Billson are preparing for the holiday season by shopping local.

Mr Vasta is committed to supporting small and local business across Bonner, and encourages everyone in the community to do the same.

“Small businesses and family enterprise are the economic life blood of communities like ours and the Coalition wants to see them prosper,” Mr Vasta said. 

“Small businesses provide more than four million jobs across the country. Sadly, 519,000 jobs were lost in small business under the Labor government. We are focussed on arresting this decline and turning these numbers around.”

“We need to encourage and nurture small business men and women because they are taking risks. They are providing employment opportunities for others with in our towns and cities.”

Mr Vasta said one of the best ways to ensure competition and the security of local small businesses is to support them at the till. 

“In the lead up to the busy Christmas period, it is important to visit our local strip shops and small businesses when thinking about your Christmas preparations and Christmas presents,” Mr Vasta said.

“Get out and about amongst your local shopping strips, businesses and service providers. There is great value to be found, not just for your wallet, but also for the health and economic vitality of our community.”

Mr Vasta said that under the Coalition Government, small business had benefitted from the removal of the carbon tax, over $2 billion in red and green tape reductions, the $484.2 million Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme, and more.

He said the Government was committed to creating a Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, extending unfair contract protections for small business, and taking other measures to help small business thrive.

ENDS

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, chats with local small business owner Bill Gardik at B&G Jewellery in Mount Gravatt.