Eden-Monaro MP Peter Hendy will host the forum in Batemans Bay, which will be attended by Small Business Minister Bruce Billson.

Mr Hendy said he was holding the forum because strengthening small businesses was one of the key priorities for rural and regional electorates. 

The Batemans Bay forum will be the first of many and was chosen because of the issues with recent shop closures and unemployment rates below the national average. 

“Small businesses are key employers in regional towns,” Mr Hendy said. 

“We chose Batemans Bay because of the large number of empty shopfronts in the CBD and last time I checked the unemployment rate was well above the national average.” 

Mr Hendy said the forum would benefit the local community because it created an opportunity for business owners to have direct contact with the Minister responsible for protecting small businesses.

“All issues those in attendance put forward will be fed directly to the cabinet minister who will then take them to Parliament,” he said. 

To be discussed at the seminar is the relationship between small and large businesses, a presentation on what the government plans to do in its first six to 12 months and a base review of competitor policy. 

Business owners have already shown interest and Mr Hendy said he was “looking forward to the forum”. 

It will be held at Catalina Country Club on April 28 from 5.30pm to 7pm. 

Business owenrs are invited to put forward local issues and solutions before the meeting to allow information to be prepared. 

To register for the forum phone Mr Hendy’s Bega office on 6492 0974.