MALLEE residents have been urged to do whatever they can to help small and family businesses to trade out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council of Small Businesses Organisations Australia (COSBOA) said official data released this week showed the collapse in visitor arrivals to Australia highlighted the challenges for small businesses that serve tourists.
COSBOA launched its nationwide Go Local First campaign with the support of the Federal Government, urging Australians to shop locally whenever they can to support small businesses in their communities.
Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed overseas visitor arrivals in May were 99.5 per cent lower than they were the previous year, while only 3440 short-term trips to Australia were recorded in May 2020 compared to almost 670,000 in May 2019.
The campaign aims to highlight the vital role of small businesses in the nation’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said spending at local small businesses kept money in the community, helping the local economy thrive.
“This campaign is all about getting behind your local small business, whether it is your local baker, plumber, barista or butcher for example,” Dr Webster said.
“Every small business employs locals in our community. It’s time we all come together and support one another
“The resourcefulness of Australians working together will see us emerge stronger on the other side.
“I encourage everyone in our local community to actively support this campaign and do whatever you can to back our fantastic small and family businesses and Go Local First.”
Small and Family Business Minister Michaelia Cash said Australian small businesses needed local communities to back them more than ever and support their recovery by choosing to shop with them either in person or online.
“Australians know when they make the choice to go to their local small businesses, they are supporting their community and the national economy as a whole,” she said.
The campaign will feature small businesses from across Australia including cafes, chemists, retailers, trades, hairdressers, butchers, accountants and bookkeepers.
There are about 3.5 million small businesses in Australia, which account for around one-third of economic activity.
