From Advocacy to Action: Making Esperance Business Visible Where Decisions Are Made

There was a palpable energy in the air at WA Parliament House recently, a genuine buzz that reflected something regional businesses often struggle to achieve: being seen, heard, and taken seriously by the people who shape policy.

Hosted in partnership with regional Chambers, the Goldfields–Esperance business showcase wasn’t just well attended, it made an impression. The courtyard was full, the conversations were constant, and parliamentarians flowed through the event in numbers that spoke volumes. The message from the regions was unmistakable: regional Western Australia is open for business and expects to be part of the state’s economic conversation.

For the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI), this wasn’t about a single night of visibility, it was the result of sustained advocacy. Showcasing businesses side‑by‑side with direct engagement with Ministers, MPs and senior decision‑makers created the opportunity to raise the realities facing Esperance businesses in a way that written submissions alone cannot.

Those realities are well known locally. Businesses across Esperance continue to face workforce shortages, rising wages, energy and insurance costs, and the difficulty of retaining staff in a tight housing market. Seasonal operators, in particular, must remain viable during quieter months while still investing in training, compliance and employment. These pressures are not abstract, they affect real employers, real families and the long‑term sustainability of our local economy.

While the recent State Budget included investment in housing, health and infrastructure, all important for regional communities, it did little to directly relieve the day‑to‑day cost pressures experienced by local employers. Measures such as fuel payments and capped airfares assist households, but businesses continue to carry the burden of higher operating costs without equivalent relief.

One of the key advocacy points consistently raised by ECCI is payroll tax. Adjusting the threshold is a practical lever the State Government can pull quickly, delivering immediate support for growing businesses that employ local trades, apprentices and trainees. For regions like Esperance, where attracting and retaining staff is already challenging, this kind of reform would make a tangible difference.

Strong regional economies rely on more than infrastructure spend alone. They depend on viable, confident local businesses that can invest, employ and grow. That is why ECCI continues to advocate for reforms that recognise the unique challenges of regional business, reforms that reduce the cost of employing people and support long‑term sustainability.

Importantly, advocacy does not end when the event lights are turned off. One of the most encouraging outcomes from the Showcase was the clear commitment from within Parliament to maintain visibility in the regions. I was pleased to speak directly with two elected Members who committed to visiting Esperance this winter, traditionally a quieter period for many local businesses. Their intent is simple but powerful: to show support, spend locally, and encourage colleagues to do the same to help boost confidence and cashflow during the off‑season.

That commitment matters. Advocacy is about relationships, presence and persistence. It’s about ensuring Esperance businesses are not an afterthought, but a recognised and valued part of Western Australia’s economic future. And ECCI will continue to do that work, taking the voices of our members where they need to be heard.