Katie Allen (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Victorians have been doing it tough through the long COVID lockdown. My electorate of Higgins is no exception to this. I've been impressed by how resilient and innovative the very many small, medium and family-sized businesses of Higgins have been through the many months of our cold and hard lockdown. Many have adapted to changed circumstances. They now offer takeout, delivery and even click-and-collect services. I'm proud that the residents of Higgins have stepped up magnificently to back our local businesses as they face these unprecedented challenges, whether it's their morning eggplant toasties from Levi in Murrumbeena, coffee at Cafe Republic in South Yarra, grocery shopping at Prahran Market, buying books via click-and-collect at The Novel Idea Toorak Bookshop or servicing their bike at Cycleinn Malvern. Mr Speaker, I can assure you there has been an explosion in cycling in Higgins. It's one of the only reasons you're allowed out.

By going local first, money spent in our local economies keeps businesses afloat and supports local jobs and families. This fuels our local economy and will help drive our recovery from the COVID recession. From purchases small and large, to lunches with friends, a new outfit or even home renovations, I encourage the people of Higgins and, indeed, all Australians to look for a local business or tradie, because when you spend local, it stays local.

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