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small business | July 22, 2016

Kealy gets small business support back on the radar

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has successfully lobbied the Labor Government to support local small businesses after they failed to include the Wimmera in their Small Business Festival and workshop programs over the past 2 years.

“This year there are more than 350 workshops being held across Victoria as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s 2016 Small Business Victoria Workshops program, but not one of the 350 events was to be held in the Wimmera,” Ms Kealy said.

“Horsham is our biggest regional city and Labor has been neglecting to support our small businesses by refusing to hold a workshop locally.

“The Coalition recognised Horsham as one of ten regional cities that would receive additional funding to help support growth into the future. The decision by the Labor Government to exclude the Wimmera from their programs over the past two years demonstrated Labor only cares about the city.

“Earlier this year I invited the Minister for Small Business, Hon. Philip Dalidakis, to venture out of the comfort of his Melbourne office and explain to Wimmera business holders why they are not important enough to have events offered locally.

“After extensive lobbying of the Andrews Labor Government, it is great news that the Wimmera is now back on the radar for inclusion in future State Government programs to support small businesses,” she said.

Today it was announced that a two-hour Small Business Resilience Workshop will be held at the Reception Room at Horsham Rural City Council, Roberts Avenue Horsham, at 7pm on Wednesday 27 July 2016.

“I encourage local businesses to attend this workshop and future events offered in our local area to take advantage of support and opportunities to learn and improve,” Ms Kealy said.

Further information on small business workshops and events visit www.business.vic.gov.au/events or phone 13 22 55.

“Small businesses are the major employment sector for the Wimmera region, providing not only jobs but an important input to the local economy,” Ms Kealy said.