Peter Hendy (Eden-Monaro, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Friday, 24 July it was my particular pleasure to host the Prime Minister as my special guest at a business community afternoon tea in Cooma. A little over 100 members of the Cooma Chamber of Commerce, as well as other business operators from the district, joined me to hear the Prime Minister outline the coalition government's strong economic measures and plans for a better Federation. The Prime Minister reiterated the coalition's deep conviction that business, and especially small business, provides one of the essential foundations for all that our country can achieve. All too often, many take for granted the tremendous role small business operators play in our community. The Prime Minister's unabashed acknowledgement of small business was warmly received.

I wish to thank again the President of the Cooma Chamber of Commerce, Kathy Kelly, for her assistance in staging this successful event. I also thank Cooma Mayor Dean Lynch and Bombala Mayor Bob Stewart for again demonstrating their commitment to strengthening commerce in their shires. I would also like to make special mention of participants Tony and George Anthony, Mick Boyce, Clare and Jim Buckley, Brian and Dale Coyte, Gail Eastaway, Michael Green, Kris Laird, Jan Leckstrom, Sue and Michael Litchfield, Richard Mack, Rick Martin, Charlie Maslin, Tony Lassa, Kerry Parrott, Julie Schofield, Chandra Singh, and Vickii and Richard Wallace.