Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer to the devastation to small business on the Capricorn Coast caused by Cyclone Marcia. The damage bill exceeds $200 million. As the recovery phase continues, one of the best ways we can help small business to recover, especially near the rainforest town of Byfield, is to support them by spending money there. This was my message to the local community and to tourists across Australia last week after I spent two days meeting with local business owners and farmers in some of the worst hit areas. Although the rainforests and pine forests are flattened, people need to know that businesses are getting back up and running and they now need visitors to return and spend money. I encourage people from all over Australia to fly in or take a weekend drive to Byfield, book cabin accommodation, buy a meal and spend locally. With everyone's help we can get this local economy buzzing again. Last week I visited 13 businesses, including Warren and Jean O'Leary's Rainforest Ranch, Rod and Ellen Taylor Byfield Store and bush cafe, and the famous Ferns Hideaway, owned and run by John 'Marto' Martin and Genevieve Martin. These are examples of small businesses that need visitors to return to the area to get the economy back on track.