Friday, 12 December 2025

“In the spirit of giving this Christmas, give where it counts most – by backing local small businesses that provide the best food, drinks and gifts, and support local families and keep our neighbours employed,” said Shadow Minister for Small Business, Tim Wilson MP.

“While Labor stuffs the union cartel’s stockings with kickbacks, the Coalition and Australians can stand with small business and help them with rising energy costs, taxes, complex employment laws and skills shortages that all hit the bottom line,” Mr Wilson said.

“Every dollar spent in a local small business is a vote of confidence in a community, every open sign is an act of economic defiance – so give the gift of commercial hope this Christmas.”

“When you buy a gift from a family-owned or an independent toyshop, you are also helping to pay a worker’s wages. This means a lot to a small business owner, especially while they are facing such uncertain economic conditions.”

“While its boom time in Canberra and Trades Hall, it’s very different in struggling shopping strips amongst people living with inflation from a government driven debt-binge – so now’s the time to stand with small.”

Mr Wilson said Christmas was a critical trading period for many small businesses, and in some cases could be the difference between staying open or shutting their doors in the new year.

“We know the Minister for Workplace Relations' heart is three times bigger for Trades Hall, we just hope the Small Business Minister’s heart grows three sizes bigger for small business this Christmas – who is the Small Business Minister again?”

“This year has been tough. If businesses could get through the worst year on record for insolvencies last year with a Grinch-like ATO hounding down small or family business in Whoville, they need double our support this Christmas.”

“If we value having thriving local towns and thriving shopping strips with great local service, we need to support them, your choice could decide whether to save local jobs and keep shopfronts open – plus, you’ll be saying thank you and feel all toasty inside,” Mr Wilson said.

ENDS