Pollies roll up their sleeves

Matt Brown at North Nowra Tavern

Pulling beers, selling postage stamps, making cappuccinos and greeting clients were all part of the duties and activities for our local Members this week as Marianne Saliba, Member for Illawarra; Matt Brown, Member for Kiama; Noreen Hay, Member for Wollongong; and David Campbell, Minister for the Illawarra all rolled their sleeves up to help out local small business as part of this weeks ABL State Chamber/Australia Post Pollies for small business program.

Under the program, politicians were asked to donate some of their time to work in a small business in a lead up to Small Business September.

Marianne Saliba spent her day at Victor King & Partners, an accountancy practice in Dapto.

My day here has given me a better understanding of the issues that face small business and the enormous contribution they make to the community, Ms Saliba said.

Proprietor of Victor King & Associates, David Jones said he was pleased to have Ms Saliba in his practice for the day.

Its good that local members take an interest in local small business and learn a bit about the challenges of running a small business at the coal face, he said.

Matt Brown says that his day at North Nowra Tavern has given him some valuable insight into the day to day pressures confronting small business operators.

I have owned my own small business and therefore am aware of some of the pressures and problems, but this is a great opportunity to learn how the Government can help small business meet those challenges, Mr Brown said.

Noreen Hay said it was good to get away from Macquarie Street and gain some first hand experience of the constantly changing pressures on small business.

Ive enjoyed serving the community in a different manner today, said Ms Hay.

Working at the Port Kembla Post Office has been an enjoyable challenge.

Helping the community is a major priority of a politicians duties and post offices also serve the community from a different aspect.

However, we are both striving for the same outcome happy customers.

David Campbell donned a waiters apron for the day and spent his time learning the art of making a good cappuccino at Corrimal Courts Sisko Caf?.

Mr Campbell said that the States 440,000 small businesses employ more than a million people and are the backbone of the NSW economy.

This week has been an excellent chance for Members of Parliament to experience first hand, the enormous contribution made by our small business operators, said Mr. Campbell.

Its also a nice break from the banter of Parliament and a chance to interact with the customers of those businesses.

Our Small Business Regulation Review Taskforce has been working to identify the red tape that owners and operators of accommodation and food services businesses have to deal with.

Weve got one aim in mind freeing the hardworking business owners to do what they do best create jobs and wealth.

Thats why I thought it would be appropriate to work in a caf? this year.