As the nation anticipates the upcoming federal election, the Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) hosted an exclusive forum with Federal Members Ted O’Brien and Andrew Wallace, offering the 100-plus guests timely insights into the political and economic landscape.
With key national and regional issues at stake, the corporate lunch held on 14 March provided local business leaders with a rare opportunity to hear directly from policymakers and discuss the future of the Sunshine Coast as they prepare to go to the polls within the next couple of months.
SCBC Chair Sandy Zubrinich emphasised the significance of this discussion at such a pivotal time, enabling business leaders to attend with insightful questions that will help shape the region’s future for years to come.
“This election will take place against a backdrop of current budget pressures and challenging economic and market conditions, so this lunch provided an opportunity for Ted and Andrew to share how a Federal LNP government will deliver better regulations and policy solutions to stimulate private sector investment, deliver regional infrastructure, support regional industry and business and create jobs,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“As the Sunshine Coast’s leading business advocacy group, we provide these opportunities for our business community to engage directly with decision-makers on the pressing challenges impacting our region. We are seeing businesses closing at record rates, weighed down by regulatory burdens, and high interest, insurance, energy and other operational costs.
“This election is critical for regional industry and business to understand first-hand the macro landscape facing Australian businesses and how a coalition government will address those issues and ensure that the Sunshine Coast’s needs are a priority in the national agenda.”
“Investment in Australia, including the Sunshine Coast, has slowed despite a strong pipeline of major regional projects. To unlock these opportunities, we need decisive action from our politicians to restore investor confidence, accelerate investment, and ensure the region is well-positioned to support the successful delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace today emphasised Australia’s cost of living crisis and the need to support small businesses and strengthen national security.
“I highlighted the essential role small businesses play in supporting our workers and community. Their success is crucial for our nation’s prosperity, and we must continue to provide them with the necessary support and resources,” Mr Wallace said.
“I also underlined the importance of a robust national security strategy. Our government must be strong and decisive in defending our nation, and I am committed to ensuring we have the leadership and policies needed to protect Australia.”
Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said that the Sunshine Coast business community is as resilient as it is entrepreneurial.”
“It’s a tragedy that over the last few years under Labor’s cost of living crisis, Australians have suffered the biggest fall in living standards (disposable incomes) in the developed world which ultimately hurts everybody, including here on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Coalition has been clear that our approach to get Australia back on track will include practical policies to rein in wasteful government spending that is driving inflation, reversing the damaging aspects of Labor’s complex industrial relations reforms, getting energy prices under control, reducing red tape for business and extending instant asset write off so businesses can invest.”
Ms Zubrinich thanked the Federal Members for taking the opportunity to engage with the business community in the lead-up to the election by participating in the corporate lunch, which was hosted at The Lake House Sunshine Coast.
About the Sunshine Coast Business Council
The Sunshine Coast Business Council is the leading regional business advocacy group on the Sunshine Coast representing approximately 4,000 businesses through its membership, which includes key national and regional industry groups and their members as well as national and regional businesses. Its membership base represents a range of sectors including tourism, property, construction, retail, education and training, agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT and professional services. To find out more, please visit www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au.
