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Northern Opinion - The Website of Australia's northernmost Liberal Senator

CAIRNS SMALL BUSINESSES RUNNING OUT OF TIME

24 June, 2008Small businesses in Cairns and surrounding region are running out of time to access free business services and advice, as a result of the Rudd Government slashing funding to a key small business programme.
North Queensland Liberal Senator, Ian Macdonald said that after 30 June 2008, the Small Business Field Officer programme was to be almost obliterated and as a result, small businesses in the bush would suffer.
“This programme provides vital free services and advice to small businesses in regional and rural areas, including market research, research and development, networking opportunities and information on how to grow and build an existing business.
“The Labor Government’s actions will strip the coverage of these services to remote areas, and on 1 July, the services will be centralised to existing Business Enterprise Centres – which means that all of north Queensland will be serviced through Townsville.
 “Some Councils may fund a Small Business Field Officer position, but it will be nothing compared to the strategically placed 15 Field Officers across Queensland.
““The Rudd Government, whilst claiming to be a friend of both the bush and small business, has proven yet again that they have no time for either” Senator Macdonald said.

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