Small business is smart business

_{28, July 2005}

Sign Up for free e-mail updates!

Peter Roberts (Keperra Country Golf Club President) and Ingrid Cliff (Hills Chamber of Commerce President) with newly appointed Education Minister Rod Welford and Geoff' at his 2005 Business Breakfast.

Local small businesses attending a business breakfast at the Keperra Country Golf Club this week are smart businesses, according to newly appointed Minister for Education, Rod Welford.

Speaking at a function jointly hosted by the State Member for Ferny Grove, Geoff Wilson, and the Hills and District Chamber of Commerce, Mr Welford said small business had become much more politically aware during the sixteen year period he had held public office.

“There is a much stronger partnership between Government and the private sector nowadays and small business people are tuned into government planning, legislation and decisions,” he said.

“Our Government is listening hard to small business people and doing a lot more long-term planning to create opportunities for growth.”

Mr Welford spoke to the more than 110 local business and community representatives about the State Budget and the South East Queensland Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan.

“Our Government is meeting the needs of the local area through infrastructure initiatives and services, especially in the areas of education, transport, community safety and health,” Mr Welford told the gathering.

“Many local schools will benefit from funds provided for school-aged care services such as Ferny Grove, Ferny Hills, Mt Nebo, Mt Sampson, Patricks Road, and Samford State Schools, and Our Lady of Dolours and St Andrews Catholic Schools.

“Importantly, $5 million has been allocated towards the duplication from two to four lanes on the Samford sub-arterial Road between Cobalt Street and Arbor Street with a total state government contribution of $11.38 million.”

Geoff Wilson told guests that he was very pleased to again host the function with the Hills Chamber of Commerce.

“I have held six business breakfasts since I was first elected and this is the biggest turnout both in number of people attending and number of small businesses represented,” Geoff Wilson said. 

“It’s a fantastic response from local businesses,” Geoff Wilson said. “Local small businesses are certainly seeing the importance and value of tapping in to what the State Government is doing.”

More News