Liberals’ ‘Think Local First’ Plan provides hope for Coast business

As part of the Liberals’ ‘Think Local First’ plan, we will be encouraging school associations to source uniforms from Tasmanian manufacturers, like the Tasmanian Clothing Company at Spreyton.

We want to ensure school associations and parents are aware that high-quality, well priced school uniforms are available from Tasmanian manufacturers, and this is precisely what our Think Local First initiative will achieve.

A majority Liberal Government will invest $100,000 to create and deliver a new ‘Think Local First’ campaign to encourage Tasmanians to buy local.

We will also help local manufacturers and businesses, like Tasmanian Clothing Company become even more competitive by reducing business costs and the burden of red and Green tape.

This is part of the Liberals’ long term plan to help Tasmanian businesses, which also includes:

• Providing $200,000 over four years to develop and implement a Winning Government Work Program that educates Tasmanians businesses on how to develop and submit tenders for government work;

• Developing an strategic $800,000 Retail Ready for Business policy, which will provide retail businesses with the information and tools to operate successfully online;

• Introducing a Local Benefits Test requiring community and social benefits to be taken into consideration when government purchasing decisions are made and ensuring Tasmanian businesses are given a fair go when tendering;

• Introducing a $100,000 New Market Expansion Program to support innovation and assist business to expand their markets;

• Commencing a pilot Mentoring, Training and Support Program to help small business thrive in a rapidly changing business environment; and

• Requiring all government departments to pay invoices of less than $50,000 within 30 days, to prevent unnecessary financial strain being placed on businesses that provide services to government.

Creating jobs will be the number one priority of a majority Liberal Government. If we can increase employment in the small business sector by just one percent, we would create another 1,000 jobs for Tasmanians, stimulating the economy, the State budget and, in turn, our capacity to properly resource essential services in health, education and community safety.

Funding will come from the $500 million in savings we have already identified.

– Liberal Leader Will Hodgman MP and Shadow Small Business Minister Adam Brooks MP