 |
|
Newsroom |
|
|
12 April 2002 Regional companies unite to champion the bush A new and unique regional business group has promised to elevate the status of country Australia with governments, media and the corporate world as part of its mission. Champions of the Bush, an organisation comprising companies that operate predominantly in regional Australia, was launched in Bendigo on Thursday. Inaugural chairman John Brown, from Brown Bros, said Champions had been formed in response to frustration among regional business leaders that their contribution and value to Australia was somehow diminished. "All of our members and prospective members are leading national players in their industries," he said. "When we talk among ourselves it's a common complaint that our city counterparts tend to be patronising, or even to consider that we're second rate because our headquarters are in the bush. "Our response through Champions is not to whinge and whine; it's to be pro-active about raising awareness of the important contribution that regional Australia makes to the social and economic life of the nation. " Inaugural members of Champions are Cook Green & Moore, Bendigo Bank, Brown Bros, Telstra Countrywide, Patties Bakery and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. Mr Brown said the aim was to have members in every state by the end of this year. The group's objectives include: •
To instil pride in regional Australia "An example is that we're calling on the Commonwealth Government to adopt the Australian Regional Investment Plan to encourage a greater flow of capital into country areas," Mr Brown said. "Since the introduction of compulsory superannuation, annual contributions to super funds from regional Victoria alone have exceeded $1 billion. In regional NSW the figure is $1.9 billion and in regional Queensland it is $1.7 billion. "Fund managers invest most of this money outside regional areas. "If the Plan is implemented, fund contributors and self-funded retirees will have the option to select tax-advantaged local bonds as an investment vehicle. " Mr Brown said Champions was unique in that it's the only organisation of its kind for regional business. Membership enquiries can be directed to Michael Gorey, phone (03) 5756 2901.
|
|
|
|
|
