Kaya,
Thank you for your patience, this month’s Newsletter was delayed due to COVID. I had hoped by now I would be able to say that businesses are starting to return to normal and the worst of COVID is behind us. While I’m sure that is true for some businesses in our community, it is certainly not true for all. June saw the Chamber further exposed to COVID, both with the postponement of our South West Future Jobs and Skills - Innovation and Technology Virtual Conference (new date 22 September) and our Marketing and Events Coordinator coming down with COVID. Many of our member businesses are reporting their second or third wave of COVID going through their workplace.
July is here and the new financial year has now commenced. The last few months for the Chamber and our members have been significant. Economically there have been some significant events worth reviewing - in no particular order. The state government announced a $5b surplus budget, the federal election saw a change in government with the election of a Labour Government and the appointment of our new Prime Minister Mr Anthony Albanese, rising fuel prices that don’t seem to be declining despite government tariff reductions, headline inflation hitting 5.1%in the March quarter, interest rate rises for the first time in 11 years not to mention the ongoing impacts of COVID as I already mentioned.
The BGCCI represents approximately 450 local businesses, our promise to you is that we welcome diversity and members from all backgrounds. We want the Chamber to be a safe place. Any form of discrimination, intimidation, harassment, inappropriate or derogatory comment or behaviour is not welcome. As a member of our community, if you witness behaviour that is questionable, we encourage you to speak up. Speaking up when you witness this type of behaviour can be difficult and confronting but if we don’t intervene, we are saying it’s ok. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation.” Some comments while seemingly innocent can have a detrimental impact. Please remember there is a time and a place and be aware that words can offend, hurt and make people uncomfortable. Please support us in making our chamber diverse, inclusive and a safe place for everyone.
NAIDOC Week 2022 took place from the 3rd to the 10th July, with this year's theme being Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
The BGCCI proudly supports the local South West Indigenous community and businesses within the Bunbury Geographe region. Recognising the four Noongar clans of the South West, the Wardandi, Pindjarup, Wilman and Kaneang peoples, we would like to encourage all our members to continue to enhance their exposure and knowledge of First Nations culture and history, whilst standing up and showing up for systemic change.
On the 16th June, I attended a regional conference for our Regional Chamber Network (RCCIWA) hosted by CEO Kitty Prodonovich. The event attracted a fabulous turnout, with 50 attendees, 23 Chambers represented from 9 regional areas across WA - from as far north as Broome and Kununurra and as far South as Hopetoun and Albany.
Despite how different and varied our communities are across regional WA, it fascinates me that there are such similarities in the challenges we face. In presenting these challenges directly with government RCCIWA have the power of one voice to represent over 7,500 business members.
Significant areas we discussed included:
• Access to workers – skilled and non-skilled, there are simply not enough people in regional WA
• Critical Housing shortage – throughout regional WA there is simply not enough housing, and short-term accommodation and hotels are being taken up by workforce employees
• Childcare – this is a multi-faceted issue however, we know we have a latent workforce that cannot work to capacity as there is not enough childcare places in any regional locations, and in some towns, there is none.
• Ongoing Impacts of COVID 19 – currently the impacts of people contracting COVID 19 are forcing businesses to close whilst they are in isolation or closing as they do not have enough staff to open, and
• Reliable access to broadband and telecommunications - this is still a long standing, ongoing issue.
Specific to the SW BGCCI also posed a specific question to Minister Rita Saffiotti about the Road and Rail infrastructure for many of our local businesses transporting product to the East Coast. She took our question on notice indicating that review was required to investigate not only the road and rail infrastructure but also the Port and its strategic alignment.
We will continue to keep you informed of progress and updates in these areas. If you would like any support or guidance during this time, please contact the BGCCI on 08 9791 2292.
