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19 Nov 2012 4:19 PMMichael Hart
Member for Currumbin and Minister for Small Business, Jann Stuckey MP and Member for Burleigh, Michael Hart MP are challenging residents to participate in the 100% Local Christmas Challenge.
The challenge encourages local residents to shop locally and purchase 100% of their Christmas needs from small businesses to help bolster sales and support local jobs in the lead up to the festive season.
Ms Stuckey and Mr Hart will officially launch the southern Gold Coast 100% Local Christmas Challenge at the Palm Beach Super Cycle Shop with shop owner Roger Campbell, Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce (C2C) President Darren Mackintosh and Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce President Gail O’Neill on Tuesday 20 November 2012.
“The countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun and local businesses, particularly small businesses need our support,” Ms Stuckey said.
“When you shop local, your money stays local. Our small businesses in turn support the community through a multiplier effect, with one dollar spent at a local business returning five times that amount through employee wages, rates and the purchase of materials and supplies.
“Small business is the backbone of Queensland’s four pillar economy, underpinning the vital sectors of tourism, agriculture, mining and construction.”
Mr Hart said when you shop locally it is like giving two gifts for the price one.
“This challenge is about strengthening and supporting our community as well as giving to your loved ones. What we are saying is if you can source your Christmas needs locally then why not support a local.”
“The southern Gold Coast is home to some wonderful unique shopping outlets. My family and I always try to shop locally and are doing our small part to bring more jobs into our region,” Mr Hart says.
C2C Chamber of Commerce President Darren Mackintosh said all local businesses were keen to get behind this initiative.
“Over 50% of Southern Gold Coast businesses have less than five employees, and are truly local small employers. For every dollar the local community can buy local, it is potentially a job that can either be retained or created after the Christmas period.”
Gail O’Neill, president of the Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce said, “The chamber is really encouraging residents to take up this challenge that will give small business in our community a much needed boost and support local jobs.
Mr Hart is hopeful all southern Gold Coast residents get behind this challenge.
Ms Stuckey said the benefits of supporting local businesses and shopping locally cannot be underestimated.
There are almost 412,000 small businesses in Queensland, accounting for 96 percent of all businesses in the state.
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