Julian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Over the weekend I attended The Gap community Christmas fair. It was fantastic to see local residents out supporting local small businesses and community organisations. Everything for sale was made locally from handmade jewellery by Junction 44—a local business in The Gap—to freshly made cinnamon donuts from the Ashgrove/The Gap Lions Club, which my son, Theo, enjoyed immensely. In the lead-up to Christmas, it is very easy to get swept up in the online deals and the department store sales but this year we can make a difference this year to local businesses and, in turn, local jobs.

Small businesses in my electorate and across Australia have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. We must support them this Christmas. I am starting a Christmas in Ryan campaign in my electorate to encourage my constituents to buy their Christmas gifts from local businesses and retailers. Each day in December, I will be highlighting a local business in Ryan and encouraging others to do the same to support them. Day 1 will start with Tickled Pink Design, a local business creating beautiful handmade newborn and toddler clothing and accessories. Natalie from Auchenflower runs an online store and sets up at local markets around Brisbane. My four-month-old baby girl, Izzie, is a big fan of her clothes. If you are looking at gifting baby clothes this Christmas, please check out Tickled Pink Design and support local. More than that, support local venues if you are going to have a Christmas party, support local vendors. The message for all of us is to get behind our local businesses this Christmas to give them the boost they need this festive season.

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