L-R: Peter Peck LSA WA, Natalie Brown LSA WA, Senator Peter Georgiou, Lou Spagnolo LSA WA, Kat Dehavilland TWE, Bernard Hughes Asahi Premium Beverages, Peter Allert Samuel Smith & Son, Brian Sheehy Fogarty Wine Group
Western Australian Senator Peter Georgiou has praised the contribution that small business makes to the Australian economy at the annual T14 Cricketing Legends’ Lunch in Perth this week.
Liquor Stores Association of WA (LSA WA) members and corporate partners invited Senator Georgiou as their special guest and all were able to rub shoulders with cricketing greats, including former Australian Captain Alan Border, as well as Mark Waugh, Damien Fleming, Brad Hogg, Darren Lehmann and Andrew Tye.
This ensured that as well as hearing memorable sports stories, LSA WA members and partners also had the opportunity to discuss the importance of small business and the independent package liquor industry in WA with a key influencer in the Federal Parliament.
Senator Georgiou said the opportunity to speak directly with so many stakeholders, and small independent business owners was invaluable.
“Independent package liquor stores are often the small family businesses which, over the years, have grown with their community, supporting a range of groups from sporting clubs through to different legacy associations.
“Unlike most members of Parliament, I myself was a small business owner who operated an electrical contracting business and I have first-hand knowledge of how hard it is just to earn a dollar in today’s market. That’s why my heart is behind the independent small family business owners.”
LSA WA Chair, Lou Spagnolo, said that while the event’s entertainment value with cricketing elite was high, the interaction with Senator Georgiou was welcome and important.
“It’s great to be able to let our corporate members get to know Senator Georgiou and help him appreciate the different pressures that we are all under in our market,” Spagnolo said.
“It is important to let our partners truly represent themselves to the cross bench senator who has shown a real interest in small business and has demonstrated an ability to get things done at the Federal level.”
Spagnolo said the LSA WA’s engagement with Senator Georgiou rounded out a strong lobbying year for the group, which also included a recent boardroom dinner with Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, in Sydney.
LSA WA’s special guest at the event was Lion, which used the opportunity to discuss a range of key industry issues and company plans with the Premier, with a pathway for further discussion opened.
“LSA WA works hard for its members and the positive relationship we have built with key political decision makers within governments across the country will ensure we can help give our members the best chance of success,” Spagnolo said.