Daniel Mulino (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Restrictions are beginning to ease in Victoria, which is a very welcome development for so many families and students, business owners and residents in my electorate of Fraser. While we have a way to go, the progress we've made is a testament to Victorians' willingness to protect themselves, their community and frontline workers with vaccines. I'm delighted that local shopping precincts and hubs like St Albans, Keilor Downs and Taylors Lakes are starting to show signs of recovering their dynamism and vitality.

Local business groups such as the Sunshine Business Association, the St Albans Traders and Brimbank council's business roundtable have been powerful and effective advocates for Fraser's small businesses throughout the pandemic. I thank them for their leadership and their advocacy to governments at all levels for appropriate support for our otherwise strong, proud and viable local businesses during periods of an unprecedented lockdown. I want to particularly recognise Fraser's small businesses and commend the work of Go Local First and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia for their advocacy of this critically important sector. As the Victorian economy opens up, it is critical to support our local businesses, the backbone of our local economies and communities and the employer of so many young people throughout my electorate and many others. I look forward to getting back to Fraser after this sitting week and to visiting the many cafes, restaurants, butchers, grocers, newsagents and all the other wonderful small and family businesses that contribute so much to the character of my community.