CHRONICLE COLUMN | UPCOMING FEDERAL ELECTION
With a federal election weeks away, it is time to again remind our local candidates and Federal Government politicians that all Australians depend heavily on small businesses to meet their personal and their family’s day-to-day needs.
We say small business DESERVES BETTER.
Australia has over 2.6 million businesses, of which 97.2% have 19 employees or less. Businesses contribute in the order of 500 billion in economic activity or one third of the nation’s GDP each year. Businesses employ an estimated 5 million people or 42% of nations workforce.
Over the past few months, the Toowoomba Chamber has been working to create Toowoomba Region Business Priorities to advocate for small business on matters at the upcoming Federal government election and beyond.
The work draws on feedback from the Board, our members, and the Darling Downs Regional Alliance, and our research such as the Toowoomba Business Sentiment Index, RSM Australia Tax Advocacy Advice, CBD Economic Profile, and the like.
Research to enable a better understanding of the needs of the business community.
The Toowoomba Region Business Priorities addresses the areas of infrastructure, Maintenance and Sustainability of Rural Areas, Regulatory Reform, Housing, and a Shovel Ready Infrastructure Pipeline.
Federal Election Priorities
In summary, the Toowoomba Chamber has identified key Toowoomba Region Business priorities including investing in the design and business case for a Conference and Event Centre, Community, infrastructure and associated uses; create a national Regional Infrastructure Fund; increase investment in our biggest sector by business count by improving rural Infrastructure, and enhancing food security, and climate variation initiatives, and abandoning taxes like those proposed on unrealised capital gains; implement a doing business taskforce and create a more efficient government; and build inland rail to Gowrie, now.
The Toowoomba Region Business Priorities are now publicly available on our resource page on our website. Take a Peek. We will be asking all candidates to formally respond to these requests and will provide updates to the community during the election campaign.
Want us to ask them different questions? Email us at admin@toowoombachamber.com.au and we will pass them onto the candidates for a response.
Help us to STAND UP for our business community.
