State election focus on small business

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

Many small business owners in Penrith are still in a recovery phase, having had to take out loans to keep them alive throughout the lockdowns and restrictions. a recent Business nSW survey predicted that a staggering 30 per cent face closure.

With the state election looming, over the next few weeks I’m speaking to the Penrith candidates about their plans. Here is the response from Labor Candidate for Penrith, Karen McKeown.

Can you please tell me what Labor will do to help small businesses and provide your thoughts?

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Having run a small business with my husband Brendan, I know just how much hard work small business owners put in,” Ms McKeown said.

“After 12 years in office, Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals are tired, and are more focussed on themselves than on helping local businesses.

“Labor has listened, and we have a plan to help Penrith businesses get ahead. Our Fresh Start Plan will streamline payroll tax, establish a nSW Business Bureau, make outdoor dining permanently available, and support small businesses to sell their goods and services nationally and overseas.

“Our Fresh Start Plan also includes a local supplier element to tender weightings which gives priority to small businesses in the area nearby the projects they are tendering for, increasing the threshold for direct procurement with small business from $150,000 to $250,000, and increasing the proportion of government expenditure through procurement with small business.”

95B Station St, Penrith

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

This week you will notice that our front page features a new local initiative for our Veterans: the st Marys Veterans Wellbeing Program.

The Program is a joint initiative of the two local Ex-service Organisations - the st Marys RsL sub-Branch and the Veterans support Centre. Whilst the latter has been at the forefront in providing a quality Advocacy service to veterans for their military-related medical conditions for 26 years, this particular Wellbeing Program will provide opportunities for current serving, ex-serving and transitioning Veterans and their families, to build camaraderie amongst like-minded people.

i wanted to take this opportunity to recognise and applaud all the great work that the team at “the train” do to ensure our Veterans have the opportunity to live their best life.

The dedication of Tony Fryer and the st Marys Veterans is absolutely commendable. They are the most genuine salt of the earth citizens you’ll ever meet. They not only served our nation with pride and dignity, they have continued providing services as volunteers through the st Marys RsL sub-Branch and st Marys Outpost.

The Wellbeing Program is a superb initiative.

it is important that we ensure our local Veterans have outreach programs, help with post-service issues and an opportunity to develop friendships with other veterans.

During their service, our Veterans were told where to go, what to do and how to do it. Their training had a strong focus on precision. When facing life out of service, everyday things can be a challenge to a person who matured and began their adult life whilst in the defence forces.

Many also saw sights that they will never unsee. The Wellbeing Program is a fabulous initiative to assist in all the needs and challenges for our Veterans as well as provide much-needed support for their mental health.

if you are a Veteran or you know of a Veteran who isn’t involved in postservice activities, i encourage you to reach out to the fabulous team at st Marys.

They will welcome you with open arms, of that i guarantee.

The st Marys Outpost motto pretty much sums up what they are all about: “Honour the dead, but fight like hell for the living.”