Member for the Agriculture Region and Candidate for Geraldton Paul Brown was joined today by the Federal Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack to visit regional small businesses to see firsthand the growing opportunities for regional Western Australian tourism.
The Minister has spent this week in Western Australia in the lead up to Saturday’s WA Small Business Day and accepted the invitation from Mr Brown to meet with local businesspeople on the Abrolhos Islands and in Geraldton.
“It is great to be here today with Paul Brown to visit the Abrolhos Islands to tour the small businesses operating in the well-established commercial rock lobster fishing industry and in the emerging aquaculture industry,” Mr McCormack said.
“This region has a huge potential for tourism and, with that, unlimited opportunities to grow local small businesses.
“I want to thank Paul for his invitation to visit the region, and for his dedication to local industry, to local small businesses and to local employment.
“The Commonwealth Government understands the importance of small business to the economy and that is why we are getting on with the job of cutting company taxes, extending instant asset write-offs for small businesses and slashing red tape so businesses can grow and create local jobs.”
Member for the Agriculture Region Paul Brown said he was grateful the Minister had taken the time to hear from local small businesspeople and to tour the region to see its beauty and its potential.
“The rawness, remoteness and world-class natural biodiversity of the Abrolhos Islands make them a unique tourism destination,” Mr Brown said.
“Combined with the wonderfully rich maritime history, particularly that of the story of the Batavia Shipwreck in 1629 and the subsequent bloody mutiny that took place on Beacon Island, the Abrolhos Islands offer a variety of unique experiences that are attractive to tourists from around the world.
“As a representative of this region, I am proud to showcase these amazing islands, our history and our wonderful small businesses.
“I want to thank the Minister for coming to Geraldton and for taking the time to meet locals to hear how the Federal and State Governments can work together to help local small businesses grow and create new employment opportunities, especially in our growing tourism sector.”
Caption: (L-R) The Hon. Michael McCormack MP Minister for Small Business, Paul Brown Nationals WA Candidate for Geraldton, Hon. Martin Aldridge MLC, Vince Catania MLA Member for North West Central