Media release - Lindsay and Macquarie Small Business and Manufacturing Forum

Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Federal Member for Lindsay

11 March 2025

Lindsay and Macquarie Small Business and Manufacturing Forum

As the Federal Member for Lindsay, I have always been passionate about our local small businesses and manufacturers.

When I was first elected in 2019, I founded our local Small Business Network, Advanced Manufacturing Taskforce and Jobs of the Future Forum.

These have been integral in informing the Coalition’s plans in government and now in opposition.

That is why I hosted, alongside our Liberal candidate for Macquarie Mike Creed and Senator Dave Sharma, a Small Business and Manufacturing Forum with Sussan Ley.

Sussan is the Deputy Liberal Leader, and our Shadow Minister responsible for small business, industry, training, and women.

It was terrific to for Sussan to hear about the concerns of our small businesses and manufacturers from across Penrith, St Marys, Emu Plains, the Blue Mountains, and Hawkesbury.

What we know for sure is Western Sydney is one of the highest places for business failure in the country. We need to get Back on Track with an elected Dutton-led Coalition government to restore small business as a priority.

As I’ve always said, manufacturing is a core part of what we do in Western Sydney, and our industrial estates across Penrith, Emu Plains, Emu Heights, St Marys, and North St Marys provide so many great Aussie jobs to locals across our region.

We had around 50 small business and manufacturers attend at Emu Sports Club in Leonay.