OLD PAGES > Local Pollies try on Illawarra small business shoes - 23 Jul

Small businesses across New South Wales will once again be putting their local politicians to work as part of the Illawarra Business Chamber and NSW Business Chamber’s annual Pollies for Small Business program, to be held from Monday 23 July to Saturday 28 July 2007.

The Politicians will be visiting local businesses in the Illawarra as follows:

• Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Senator for New South Wales, will be visiting Five Islands Brewery from 3.30pm, Monday 23rd July 2007.
• Shelley Hancock, Member for South Coast, will be visiting Soilco from 9.00am, Wednesday 25th July 2007.
• Joanna Gash, Member for Gilmore, will be visiting Scruples Hair & Beauty from 2pm, Wednesday 25th July 2007.
• David Campbell, Minister for Police, Minister for the Illawarra, will be visiting Corrimal East Post Office from 9am, Thursday 26th July 2007.
• Lylea McMahon, Member for Shellharbour, will be visiting Warrigal Blinds from 11am, Thursday 26th July 2007.

Illawarra Business Chamber CEO, Mark Grimson, said the Pollies for Small Business program provided local MPs with the opportunity to experience first hand what it is like to run a small business.

“This program is vital in ensuring politicians have a clearer understanding of what it is really like to be a small business owner,” he said.

“The Parliamentarians do everything from pull beer, plant trees, serve coffee, sell appliances and even have been known to fill in a BAS statement. It’s a terrific way for MPs to see first hand how their decisions impact on small businesses.

‘Small business plays a key role in providing jobs for local communities and it is important that decision-makers understand how the laws and regulations they create impact upon businesses,” he said.

“Last year we had 90 Members of Parliament participating across the State and involved members from all political parties and the independents”, Mr Grimson said. “This is a great program and it is very useful in helping businesspeople and MPs understand each other better.”

The IBC and NSW Business Chamber Pollies for Small Business program is run in cooperation with local small business operators. Politicians were asked to donate some time to work in a small business in the lead-up to Small Business September.

Photo opportunities are available on request. For further information contact Louise Dwyer on 4229 4722 or 0428 424067.