| GIPPSLANDERS URGED TO PUT LOCALS FIRST THIS CHRISTMAS |
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November 10, 2009 Gippsland residents are being urged to shop locally and support local businesses this Christmas. The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has sent letters to households across Gippsland encouraging them to ‘Put Locals First’ by purchasing gifts for family and friends from local traders. Mr Chester said there are many benefits to ‘Putting Locals First’ when shopping for Christmas gifts including great quality service and after sales support offered by Gippsland businesses. “Putting Locals First means making a decision to support local traders whenever possible,” Mr Chester said. “Every dollar we spend in Gippsland helps to create jobs for local people and provides more opportunities for young people in the future. “In many cases, small businesses are also sponsors of local sporting clubs and community events, which means they have an even greater importance in the region. “The quality of service and after sales support is something businesses right throughout Gippsland pride themselves on. “I encourage Gippsland residents to consider ‘Putting Locals First’ and shop locally this Christmas.” Mr Chester said as part of The Nationals ‘Putting Locals First’ campaign he would be continuing to urge the Federal Government to use local traders and contractors when constructing local projects. “I will continue to push the case for local contractors to be hired when local projects are constructed,” Mr Chester said. “Hiring local contractors to construct projects in the region means they can employ more local trainees and apprentices and offer better training opportunities for our young people. “We need to do more to create meaningful career opportunities to keep young people in our region so they don’t have to move away to Melbourne.” |