Support Small Business; Grow the Economy

In 2024 the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) confirmed government spending is keeping inflation higher for longer. Despite record tax revenue from the resources and mining sector, Labor will oversee the largest decline in the budget on record (outside the pandemic and GFC), and the projection is downhill.

Australia’s nearly 2.6 million small businesses are doing it tough with record insolvencies last year. “Small businesses comprise around 97 per cent of all businesses in Australia. They contribute approximately $590 billion to the economy annually, almost one‑third of the country’s total GDP. They employ around 5.4 million people, approximately 42 per cent of the private sector workforce.” (https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/julie-collins-2024/media-releases/release-australias-first-national-small-business)

However, increased red tape, increased taxes, higher energy costs, higher borrowing costs, inflation, increased cost of supplies, union demands etc, have made it increasingly difficult for small businesses to survive and make their contribution to our economy, provide jobs etc.

Tourism is vital to Cairns and the Leichhardt electorate. I am an artist and art gallery owner who has been in business for over 20 years, and I see myself as an ambassador for tourism. I’m keen to work more closely with the tourism industry to promote our region.

I stand for:

• Reducing taxes and red and green tape for small business and the mining and resources sector

• Reduce wasteful spending and get inflation down

• Support research and development

• Industry grants and funding

• Disaster relief

• Business mentoring and advisor programs

• Free workshops or webinars to build skills for business and workers

• Ensure affordable and reliable energy

• Expanding the tourism sector