By Cindy McLeish MP
It is more important than ever to throw our support behind shopping local as small businesses, like the rest of us, struggle with the rising cost of living and increased taxes.
There are so many local businesses throughout the Yarra Valley and Upper Yarra.
We have ample choice of produce stores, boutiques and cafes, plus the uniqueness of farm and cellar door sales at our fingertips.
We all take pride in our towns and would love to see our area continue to thrive.
The support shop keepers receive from us makes sure they stay open.
On top of the rising cost of living and taxes, some businesses are finding it difficult to recruit staff and for many business owners this means reducing operating hours or increasing their own already heavy workload.
Further, smaller businesses continue to compete with the growing online shopping market which can be a real uphill battle.
With every online purchase from big companies, it makes it harder for small businesses to turn a profit.
I believe smaller businesses provide what the larger, online companies can’t – personal customer service and local knowledge on products and produce that can’t be beaten.
Local stores and business owners play an important role in the community, providing personal connection, familiarity, trust and communication in a time when everything seems digital.
Throwing our support behind local small businesses will ensure job prospects remain available, including first job opportunities for young people and the option for locals to live and work in the same community.
It will keep profits within the local economy and continue to entice tourists to the area.
In Victoria, small and medium sized businesses are being punished with enormous rises in WorkCover premiums, higher land tax and increased rents.
Under the Andrews Government, Victoria is the highest taxing state in the nation and there is no incentive for businesses to grow.
New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirm that Victoria is the only state or territory to have fewer businesses registered across 2022-23 compared with the previous year.
Across this period, Queensland businesses grew by 11,031 and New South Wales by 8,147, while Victoria fell by 7,606 fewer registered businesses.
It is concerning to see that business owner’s confidence in Victoria is dwindling.
With almost 50 new or increased taxes, we are seeing the real world consequences, with small business closing.
The Coalition is eager to understand how the cost of living crisis is affecting you and your business so we can aim to make improvements. You can share your views by completing this online survey at cindymcleish.com.au/survey/cost-of-living
