Fiona Scott (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I congratulate the Minister for Small Business for supporting the Shop Small campaign. This fabulous initiative encourages people to support local small retailers. I believe local jobs start with local business, and local business needs local support to help grow and prosper.

Penrith City Council is doing their bit to help local businesses by introducing a 'Pop Up Park' to boost economic activity in the CBD. Gai Hawthorn and Owen Rogers from the Penrith CBD Corporation have instigated a business improvement program to help reinvigorate the central business district. In St Marys, Steve Perry, his board and the local business owners are improving shop facades and signage to once again re-establish Queen Street as a vibrant shopping district.

There are a lot of fabulous small and family businesses in Lindsay which make a positive contribution to the local community. For instance: John Schuback on High Street, Penrith has been running a local news agency for as long as papers have been printed; Zokoko on Old Bathurst Road, Emu Heights make the best boutique chocolates and their Morgan's Coffee range is outstanding; Montecatini on Robertson Place, Penrith use quality Australian pork to create a range of gourmet smallgoods as if it was straight out of a small cafe in Tuscany.

I urge everyone to 'shop small' this Christmas to support their local community.