Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to raise today a campaign which has been kicked off in my electorate by a number of local newspapers as well as local councils. The Buy Local initiative is incredibly important. It encourages people to buy locally in their community. Buying produce at your local supermarket, whether it be an IGA or the grocer, and buying hardware at your local hardware store ensures that the money stays in the community. I would like to especially mention the Macedon Ranges Guardian, the Midland Express and the Bendigo Advertiser for promoting these projects in their communities. Buying local means we will keep jobs in our region—retail jobs, jobs that are necessary for low-paid workers who get up every day to do a job. This is what really matters—making sure that we all, as parliamentarians, also take the lead and buy locally.

Coming up to Christmas, it is a really good time. If you are up Bendigo way, we have a number of great shopping strips where you can buy lots of local produce. We have fantastic wines, fantastic olives and fantastic olive oil. There are some great producers in our regional areas and it is really important that we get behind them, whether it be in the shops or in the community. It is important that we get out there and buy local.

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