Cairns Chamber of Commerce shares congratulations and priorities following Federal Election landslide

Off the back of Labor’s landslide victory in the weekend’s Federal election, Cairns Chamber of Commerce has stressed the importance of policy that empowers small business.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O'Neill. Picture: Brendan Radke

Off the back of Labor’s landslide victory in the weekend’s Federal election, Cairns Chamber of Commerce has stressed the importance of policy that empowers small business, saying “strong regional representation” in Canberra in the skills and training portfolio would be “advantageous”.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer, Patricia O’Neill congratulated Matt Smith on winning the seat of Leichhardt, wished the unsuccessful candidates well, and thanked retiring member, Warren Entsch, for his two decades of service to the region.

She said the importance of small business to the regions could not be understated, and urged the Labor Government to focus on issues putting pressure on small business, such as rising costs of living and doing business, red tape and skills shortages.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill said she will work with new Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith, pictured here at the ALP post election party, to advocate for policies and programs that support small business and address skills shortages. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Small and Medium Business represents a staggering 98% of all businesses across our region – they are the backbone of our economy,” Ms O’Neill said.

“Without a strong and thriving small business sector, communities like ours feel the ripple effects through lost jobs, reduced local investment, and diminished economic resilience and they have felt the pain and challenges of the “cost of doing business” over the last three years.”

She said a focus on small business stability and growth was smart economic police, and addressing workforce shortages would unlock future opportunities.

“This is a crucial moment. The new government must ensure small businesses are not just protected, but also empowered to thrive … this sector must be a priority,” Ms O’Neill said.

“We will continue to advocate for our small business owners who pay the wages of thousands of families across our region, to ensure they are treated fairly and considered in policy decisions over the next three years.

Patricia O'Neill, CEO of Cairns Chamber of Commerce has highlighted the need to more Commonwealth Supported Places for Cairns-based medicine students, the future of the Skilled Migration Program and construction of the new Central Queensland University campus in Cairns as key delivery priorities .

Ms O’Neal said the Chamber was committed to working closely with Mr Smith and Senator Nita Green, who has been re-elected, to ensure election commitments are met.

“Given the critical skills shortage, key deliverables will be the construction of the new CQU Cairns Campus as well as continuing the advocacy for the much-needed 25 Commonwealth Supported Places for James Cook University’s medicine program as well as securing the future of the Skilled Migration Program.”

“Having strong regional representation in the skills and training portfolio in Canberra would be advantageous.”

Originally published as Cairns Chamber of Commerce shares congratulations and priorities following Federal Election landslide