Shadow Minister meets business owners

Federal Shadow Minister Mr Craig Emerson visited the Peninsula last Wednesday to meet with small business owners and independent contractors.

Mr Emerson is Shadow Minister for Service Economy, Small Business and Independent Contractors.

Mr Emerson discussed Labor's plans to help improve productivity and also "listened to concerns" that small business owners and independent contractors had.

Labor Candidate for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal welcomed Mr Emerson's visit saying that small business is the economic engine room of the Central Coast.

"The majority of business dealings on the Central Coast involve small businesses," Ms Neal said.

"Small businesses also provide a large proportion of employment on the Central Coast so they are very important to the region's economy and the people that live and work here.

"As a former small business owner and operator, I personally understand just how hard it is to own and run your own business."

Ms Neal said independent contractors were also an important business community on the Central Coast and face "very different challenges to small business operators".

Ms Neal said Federal Labor wanted to see what it could do to help make doing business easier for independent contractors on the Central Coast and across Australia.

"I personally requested that Craig Emerson meet with local independent contractors because I understand some of the challenges that this sector is faced with." Ms Neal said.

"We want independent contractors to be frank and tell us what we need to address to make doing business easier for them. Craig and I are here to listen."

Mr Emerson attended a meeting with small business owners at Business Central Coast offices, Ourimbah, followed by a meeting with independent contractors at Mantra Resort, Ettalong Beach, and a small business dinner in Woy Woy.

Press release, 18 Jul 2007 Belinda Neal, Labor Candidate for Robertson