OPINION – ALI CUPPER, STATE MEMBER FOR MILDURA
WITH COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions easing significantly, there has never been a more important time to shop locally.
Our small businesses have been crippled for the past six months.
Many had to close their doors for significant periods and others were able to trade in only a reduced way.
Even now, as we slowly start to find some normality, many businesses are not able to fully operate with patron or customer limits in place.
I launched my #onlylocal campaign when regional Victoria was plunged back into stage 3 restrictions at the start of August.
The campaign encourages all of us to think about our shopping habits and, where we can, shop locally rather than online.
The ease and convenience of online shopping is so tempting – knowing whatever we want is just a click away and can be delivered to our door is an attractive option.
But the question we need to ask ourselves while we’re looking for something on Amazon or eBay is: could I buy this item locally?
If the answer is yes, it’s our duty to get out and do just that. Of course, if you can buy that item online from a local business, that’s fine too.
Small businesses are the backbone of our community and the recovery from COVID-19 is going to be a long and difficult one for them.
With Christmas just around the corner, we will all be thinking about the presents we are going to be buying for our loved ones.
There would be no better present for our local businesses than giving them our support and patronage.THIS week I launched an online portal, in conjunction with GrantsGuru, on my website alicupper.com.au to give people a one-stop-shop for more than 1200 government grants, which includes a separate section for coronavirus support.
There are many grants available for businesses, industry, community, sporting groups and individuals, so it’s great to have an easy-to-navigate portal on offer.
There are tips on how to apply and explanations on the different grants, so I’d urge anyone looking for support to log on and see what is available.
