Federal Rounds
20-November-2012
Written by John Cobb MP -
Funding frozen: Labor turns its back on small business in Calare
First it was Remembrance Day services, and now small business support services in Calare are the latest victims of the Gillard Government’s budget crisis, with no funding allocated to any of the Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) in the Central West in the latest round of funding.
Sixty-two BECs across the country will share in $12 million in funding – but none was allocated to any of the small business advisory services in Parkes, Forbes, Orange or Bathurst. It’s a slap in the face for small businesses right across Calare - the back bone of our local economy, our biggest employer and the driving force of the local retail sector.
Business Enterprise Centres provide a fantastic advisory service to local business, and demand at the local BECs is increasing as more and more small businesses seek support.
The Orana BEC, which includes services in Parkes and Forbes, and the Central NSW BEC, which provides services to Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow and Oberon had applied for $96,000 and $100,000 in funding assistance respectively, and both applications have been rejected, leaving support services in the region starved of funds.
This is the same Government that has managed to find $20 million to spend on advertising for its disastrous $44 billion National Broadband Network – it’s just disgraceful.
In contrast, the Coalition appreciates and values small business and, if elected, will aim to double the existing annual rate of small business growth adding approximately 30,000 new small businesses each year.
Public opinion sought for ANZAC Day centenary commemorations
Each year, hundreds of Aussies make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli to attend the ANZAC Day service on April 25th, and on the 100th anniversary of that fateful day in 2015, many, many more are expected to make the journey.
However, given the site at Gallipoli can only accommodate a limited number of people, the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish Governments have decided to hold a public ballot which they have decided is the fairest way to distribute tickets.
This month, the Central West community is invited to have its say on how this ballot will work, at a public forum at the Bathurst RSL next Monday 26th November at 6.15pm. I encourage all those interested in this very significant event to attend and let their thoughts be known.
White Ribbon Day
As a White Ribbon Day ambassador, I encourage blokes across Calare to show their support for this great cause, by purchasing a white ribbon on White Ribbon Day on Sunday.
White Ribbon Day draws the world’s attention to the issue of violence against women, and is about encouraging men to pledge their opposition to this crime.
But with domestic violence and similar crimes often going unreported, White Ribbon Day is also about showing victims support and giving them the strength to speak up about their situation. I encourage everyone to wear a White Ribbon to support this cause on Sunday 25th November.