Gold Coast is ‘home of small businesses’ according to Liberal National Party leader Tim Nicholls

GOLD Coast small businesses want politicians to get out of their way so they can focus on creating jobs and employing more locals. These are the items on their wish list.

Queensland LNP leader Tim Nicholls and deputy leader Deb Frecklington speak to locals Chris O'Mara (left) and George Cook (right) while they visit a small business forum at Nerang RSL, as part of the 2017 Queensland election campaign, in Brisbane, Tuesday, October 31, 2017. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

GOLD Coast small businesses want politicians to get out of their way so they can focus on creating jobs and employing more locals.

Reducing red tape and tax incentives and cuts are at the top of their wish list.

A message that was heard and echoed by Liberal National Party leader Tim Nicholls today, when he met with small business owners at Nerang RSL to discuss the LNP’s plans.

Mr Nicholls spoke of how his government could create 500,000 new jobs over the next decade and offer payroll tax relief for 14,000 Queensland small businesses.

Queensland LNP leader Tim Nicholls and deputy leader Deb Frecklington speak to locals Chris O'Mara (left) and George Cook (right) while they visit a small business forum at Nerang RSL, as part of the 2017 Queensland election campaign, in Brisbane, Tuesday, October 31, 2017. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

He said if businesses were weighed down by increasing costs they couldn’t grow and wouldn’t employ more people.

“Our $25,000 increase in the payroll tax threshold is a payroll tax cut for small businesses,”

Mr Nicholls told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“And the Gold Coast is the home of small businesses.

“This is where people come to take a chance to back themselves and this will help with hundreds of jobs and thousands of businesses who will either pay no payroll tax or will pay less payroll tax.”

Queensland LNP leader Tim Nicholls and deputy leader Deb Frecklington visit a small business forum at Nerang RSL, as part of the 2017 Queensland election campaign, in Brisbane, Tuesday, October 31, 2017. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Molendinar business owner Peter Pedersen told the Gold Coast Bulletin small businesses wanted to be a priority no matter what government was elected but he saw a brighter future with LNP in power.

He said tax breaks would be of great benefit to local businesses.

“In the big scheme of things we need to create more jobs,” the Scanline Fire Doors owner said.

“You don’t want to be bogged down by red tape.

“ ... They (LNP) inject every possible energy into small business and small businesses employee people.”

Queensland LNP leader Tim Nicholls (2nd from right) speaks to media at a doorstop during a visit to a small business forum at Nerang RSL along with, (L-R) LNP candidate for Bonney Sam O'Connor, deputy leader Deb Frecklington, LNP member Sid Cramp and LNP candidate for Theodore Mark Boothman, as part of the 2017 Queensland election campaign, in Brisbane, Tuesday, October 31, 2017. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

Another Gold Coast businessman told the Gold Coast Bulletin running a small business was tough at the best of times and the business community just “want to feel like they are a priority”.

He said he believed no government had the answers to fix every problem but he hoped the next party voted in would give businesses a break.

Nerang local George Cook agreed and told the Bulletin he believed a change in government would do wonders for locals.

“Anything that can be done to help locals is a positive,” he said.

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