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State Update - Jonty Bush - Member for Cooper
State Update Jonty Bush MP Member for Cooper
Small Business COVID-19 Grants
Our small businesses are doing it tough as we continue to live with COVID-19. The Queensland Government has supported businesses impacted by the lockdown and restrictions through small and medium business grants. The COVID-19 Business Support Grants are now open, with financial assistance now available to eligible businesses. $10 000 to employing small businesses and not for profit organisations with an annual payroll of less than $1.3 million. $15 000 to employing medium sized businesses and not for profit organisations with an annual payroll between $1.3 million and $10 million (inclusive). $30 000 to employing large sized tourism and hospitality focussed businesses and not for profit organisations with an annual payroll of more than $10 million. The grants opened in late August and will close on 16 November. For more information, please go to the Queensland Government website, or contact my office for a link. And if you have any questions at all, please ring our Business QLD hotline, on 1300 654 687.
Visiting The Lodge Café in The Gap Star of Taroom – a local story of reconciliation
One of the greatest joys of the past year has been supporting the repatriation of the Star of Taroom by one of our local’s - Johnny Danalis. The Star, which is an indigenous (rock) artefact of the Iman people, was taken on a journey back to Iman country in Taroom. Rather than simply drive the Star home, Johnny and his team planned an extraordinary 500km walk which was supported by locals and elders. I was there as Johnny brought the Star back onto country in Taroom. It was such a meaningful journey exemplifying reconciliation and truth telling. Johnny’s story was featured on NITV and ABC’s 7:30 in the past month and can still be viewed on ABC iview.
A number of Cooper community and sporting groups have been successful in securing funding though the Palaszczuk Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund over the past year, and more continue to secure funding each round. I had the pleasure of visiting the Creative Glass Guild of Queensland (in Red Hill) recently, who were successful in securing over $20,000 to upgrade their Red Hill facility. The group do some beautiful work in traditional and contemporary glass art and offer a range of incredible educational classes. Please go along and support their ‘Glass in the Gardens Show & Sale’ on October 23 and 24, at the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens Auditorium in Toowong. The Star of Taroom on Iman Country
