Member for Maroochydore, Fiona Simpson, was today joined by Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Small Business Minister, Scott Emerson, at a Round Table forum hosted by the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce.
Ms Simpson invited Mr Emerson to the Sunshine Coast to outline the LNP’s plans to get Queensland working and to hear first-hand from small business owners about further policies that could help businesses grow and create jobs on the Sunshine Coast.
“Today I’ve brought together business and community leaders from throughout my electorate to voice their concerns directly with the Shadow Treasurer,” Ms Simpson said.
“Just last week, a Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) survey found two out of
three businesses felt the Palaszczuk Labor Government was working against them, so something has to change.”
“While there are glimmers of hope in the Sunshine Coast business community due to a tourism-led recovery from a lower Australian dollar and LNP-initiated infrastructure projects such as the Sunshine Coast
University Hospital coming to fruition – small businesses are not getting the support they need from this Labor government.”
Mr Emerson said he wanted to hear for himself how local business feel the economy is performing under this do-nothing Labor Government.
“A recent CCIQ poll released just last week shows that the small business community has lost faith
in this incompetent Palaszczuk Labor Government,” Mr Emerson said.
“More than two-thirds of businesses rated the Government’s performance in managing the
budget as poor or very poor.
“Four in five businesses believe the Government’s handling of reducing costs and taxes as
poor or very poor.
“The CCIQ aren’t the only ones – these results are being backed up by the Property Council, Sensis
and the Queensland Resources Council.
“Curtis Pitt continues to break economic promises, interest from investors is waning and businesses
are fearful of hiring more staff – all because Labor can’t get the basics right.
“In contrast, the LNP has a plan to get Queensland working and provide more jobs for young Queenslanders.
“The LNP plan will provide up to 20,000 jobs for young Queenslanders and incentivise businesses to train and retain young Queenslanders.
“When in Government, the LNP made strong progress to cut red tape and provide real pathways to better training and jobs for our kids.
“While a lot was achieved, Queensland is now falling behind the other states and cannot afford another term of Annastacia Palaszczuk and her incompetent band of ministers.”
