‘WE’LL GET THROUGH COVID CONFUSION COVID, THEN POLL’
POLLIES will need to sweettalk the Gold Coast’s small business owners for a hope of success in the 2022 election.
A national survey has revealed a high percentage of voters who identify as AsianAustralian, women and a small-business owner are undecided or prepared to change their vote at the poll.
Monique Jeremiah owns international recruitment agency Exceptional Tuition and Resumes, and started three more online businesses as part of a “Covid survival plan”.
“My main concerns as an entrepreneur and business owner are whether any future restrictions will be placed on travel, entry to Australia or the education industry,” the Benowa resident said.
“When the borders closed in February 2020
I was forced to shut down my education agency and office and literally lost all my Asian students here.
“I lost all my study tours and lost my Asian staff who were once bringing international students here to the Gold Coast to enhance the international education sector and tourism.
“The party that would get my vote would be the one that especially backs small business on the Gold Coast.”
She added border changes and the ongoing pandemic meant she “had not had the chance” to consider any election possibilities.
“I am overwhelmed trying to understand the requirements of quarantine, Covid testing and any other financial and travel requirements,” she said.
There are more than 66,000 small businesses across the Gold Coast. As of 2016, more than 285,000 women and more than 36,000 of Asian ancestry lived in the region.