Chamber in Action

Allan Molistic, president of the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce

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One of the priorities of the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry is making sure the issues affecting Whitsunday businesses are heard – not just locally, but in the regional and national conversations where decisions are made.

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There are a few areas where the Chamber has been particularly active recently.

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Standing up for our regional workforce

Alongside Chambers from across Central, North and Far North Queensland, we have joined a united call for the Federal Government to review proposed changes to the Working Holiday Maker visa program before they are implemented. For many Whitsunday businesses, particularly in tourism and hospitality, these workers are an important part of the workforce.  

Our message is simple: regional Queensland needs more workers, not fewer. We are calling for meaningful consultation with regional businesses, a review of the 88-day regional work requirement and regional classifications that better reflect the realities of today’s workforce.

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Speaking up on the cost of doing business

The latest Reserve Bank interest rate increase to 4.6 per cent adds another pressure point for businesses already dealing with higher operating, energy and fuel costs, workforce challenges and increasing regulatory requirements.  

The Chamber continues to support the broader business community’s call for governments to focus on creating the conditions businesses need to invest, employ and grow – including improving productivity, access to skills and innovation, while reducing unnecessary red tape.

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Keeping businesses informed about change

There have also been some important changes to card payment surcharges from 1 October. Businesses can no longer add surcharges for EFTPOS, Mastercard or Visa debit, credit and prepaid card payments, while American Express is also removing surcharges voluntarily.  

While these changes are intended to improve transparency and competition in payment services, they are another example of the practical changes businesses need to understand and implement.

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These issues are different, but they all come back to the same thing: businesses need certainty, practical policy, and the right conditions to get on with investing, employing, and growing.

That is what we want the Chamber to keep doing – listening to our members, taking their concerns forward, and working collectively to make sure the Whitsundays has a strong voice at the table.