IT is perhaps unnecessary to say that we will all remember 2020 as one of the toughest years of our lives.
COVID-19 has brought two distinct challenges: to our health and to our economy.
Small business has borne the brunt of the economic tsunami we face. When 98 per cent of Australian businesses are small and medium enterprises, that is a huge impact.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. Business owners bring income into our towns, provide local jobs and give our kids opportunities to train and gain employment. They also frequently support local sporting teams, donate to local charities and give back to their communities.
The fallout of COVID-19 highlights the need to support local businesses: accountants, newspaper printers, tradies, retail and manufacturing businesses who have always been there for us, and now it is our turn to make sure they stay open and can operate into the future. By spending locally, we support the local workforce and economy. Buying locally is good for small business and good for us.
Many local small businesses across the Mallee electorate have expanded to online services and local delivery. They have adapted and innovated in order to survive. Their courage to innovate has set them up to come out stronger on the other side. These small business owners continue to work hard to support their families and to ensure that we have what we need.
Rena, the owner of Casual Collections in Mildura, has experienced great local support in the past few months. I caught up with Rena this week to see how business had been going, and whether she had been able to take advantage of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 business supports.
Rena said that JobKeeper had been vital to her ongoing viability. It was encouraging to hear how the Sunraysia community are supporting her. Rena has also ventured into online sales, which has proven successful. Rena knows her business will survive.
People across Mallee are supporting their local butchers, bakers, cafes and hardware stores, newsagents and hair salons, so these businesses will survive.
I have visited some Mallee manufacturers in the past few weeks and seen and heard how they are thriving in the current climate. Calvin, of Global Rotomoulding in Irymple, says the business is busier than ever. He told me he had recently moved production to two shifts a day to keep up with demand for their products. These orders are from all over the country and I’m pleased to say this amazing business has been assisted by the extension of the Commonwealth instant asset write-off. The increase in business means the owner can create more jobs, offering security to employees and to the local businesses that supply it.
Buying local is critical for our regional communities to come out the other side stronger. To keep our communities thriving and help our economy recover, choose small local business — because it’s everyone’s business.
Anne Webster is the Member for Mallee
