The region’s business and tourism community met with Amanda Camm and David Crisafulli earlier this week to discuss the budget, learn more about the LNP’s state election priorities, and opportunities for the region.
The State Budget missed the opportunity to provide genuine and direct relief to Queensland businesses. Whilst the $650 energy rebates are a welcome short-term measure, as are the initiatives in the Small Business Strategy released earlier this month, business confidence is weak and there are compounding pressures on business that need to be addressed.
David and Amanda spoke to the LNP’s state-wide focus on youth crime, housing, health, and cost of living.
They also raised opportunities for the Whitsundays such as support for creating a fresh, modern, and safe Airlie Beach precinct; developing new environmentally respectful tourism products; exploring ways the Whitsundays can benefit from the Olympics; and regional infrastructure priorities of fixing our roads, cutting red tape restrictions, and capital and workforce needs for our schools and health care system.
The business community is also gearing up for changes commencing 1 July, with increases to superannuation, the national minimum wage to $24.10 per hour and award wages. Additionally, new national industrial relations laws come into play. We encourage businesses in the region to remain proactive and well-informed about these changes.
Thanks also to those who attended our recent ‘get free media for your business’ event (see our wrap up). It was a lively and informative discussion about what businesses can do media-wise to continually build their brand awareness. More exciting events to follow in the coming months, see below for August dates.
We have also shared news of Chamber membership for the 2024/25 financial year, including exciting news of a joint membership offer with Tourism Whitsundays. See below for details and next steps.
Thank you again for your support of Chamber activities and for playing your part in building a strong Whitsundays business community.
by Chamber President, Allan Milostic
Announcing 2024/25 Chamber membership offer