Grove businesses engage with Coker ahead of Jobs Summit

OCEAN Grove business owners discussed the relationship between small business and federal government during a question and answer-style breakfast with local member for Corangamite Libby Coker.

Hosted by the Ocean Grove Business Association (OGBA), small business owners engaged in discussion with Ms Coker during the Q & A session at Ocean Grove Surf Lifesaving Club last Wednesday, on topics ranging from pension access for returning workers, payroll packages for businesses and how climate change affects local establishments.

“There was a good cross-section of people that attended, pub owners, café owners, newsagent owners for example, engaging in a two-way conversation with the local member,” OGBA committee member Mark Edmonds said.

“It was a great opportunity for around 18 small business owners to provide some feedback to Ms Coker as the Albanese government begins its term.

“She touched on things like the upcoming Jobs Summit in Canberra in September, the involvement of businesses, organisations and unions and how we get people into employment opportunities and how we bring people in from overseas for work.”

Ms Coker promised to bring the thoughts of local business owners back to the committees she chairs and the minister for small business Jaala Pulford.

She also told the OGBA she’d keep the group informed of developments within the employment forum of parliament.

“Now that we have done one of these events the association feels is worthwhile, we’ll have a committee meeting in September to discuss holding similar events like this in the future,” Mr Edmonds said.

“Post-state election, we will most likely reach out to the new member of the Bellarine and have them meet some of the businesses here in Ocean Grove.

“We’re the biggest town on the Bellarine, so it’s important businesses get the chance to deal directly with their local member, but we also encourage others who have had success in business to put their hand up to share their experiences as well.”

Head to oceangrovebusiness.com.au to keep up-to-date with future OGBA events.