Cairns Update

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce is a proud advocate for businesses in Cairns and over the past eight months I have been advocating for the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). The DAMA is an important way to attract skilled migrants to our state where local workers are not available to fill jobs; it is only suitable if Australian workers cannot be found that skilled migrants can be accessed by the DAMA process. Our first priority is always to fill jobs with Australians, but the immigration system plays an important role in helping to address regional skills gaps.

After months of advocating, research, information sessions and an extensive business case completed by myself and Joshua Ferreira from Immigration Gurus, I am pleased to announce our success in the approval of the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA). Small businesses are the driving force of our local economy and the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement will assist in driving the economic growth and fill critical employment gaps across many sectors. A DAMA provides flexibility for states, territories or regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions through an agreement-based framework. Under the DAMA framework, employers in areas experiencing skills and labour shortages can sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers. 

The FNQ DAMA covers the Far North Queensland region including the Cassowary Coast, the Tablelands, Mareeba, Cairns and the Douglas Shire.

A number of regional chambers in Queensland have come together to work with CCIQ on new initiatives including the Small Business is a Big Deal campaign. Small businesses make up 97% of all businesses in Cairns, and we employ more workers than government or large businesses. It’s small business that gives hundreds of thousands of young Australians their first job. Small Business is a Big Deal will be an ongoing campaign, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate with regional chambers for the upcoming State Election. Small employers and employees are being encouraged to visit supportsmall.org.au/cairns to get a free Small Business is a Big Deal sticker for their shopfront or work car, and use a specially designed social media frame to tell their own story on Facebook.

The JCU Cairns Business Excellence (BEX) Awards are around the corner and we are thrilled to announce we have had a great response from the community with over 160 nominations. We are also delighted to reveal the 44 finalists for this year’s JCU Cairns BEX Awards.

Join us and our hosts Paul Furse and Bree James on Saturday 15 June 2019 at the Pullman Cairns International for a three-course meal (including a beverage package), be entertained by DJ Jeremy J, and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our local organisations and individuals. Don’t miss out on one of the region’s most exciting events of the year. Visit our website to book your tickets.   

Since my last update in Success North Queensland, I’m proud to say Cairns Chamber of Commerce has inducted 20 new members which continues the momentum we had rolling into 2019. As our network grows, so too does our capacity to advocate for the business community. I encourage you to join us and help drive Cairns forward. Visit our website, attend one of events, and discover the benefits of being a Cairns Chamber member.

 

BEX Awards FINALISTS:

• Adllins Media

• Airbridge Networks

• Alan Ren

• Apunipima

• ASR Collision Specialists

• Australian Sustainable Energy

• Bama Cape York Services Ltd

• Bang Media

• Bendigo Bank Cairns

• Cairns A/C & Refrigeration

• Cairns Dental Boutique

• Cairns Eco Nappy Services

• Crystalbrook Collection

• Dee’s Deportment, Grooming and Self Care

• Didgeralia

• Face Today Mediclinic

• FNQ Plastics

• Focus Physio Cairns

• Getaway Trekking

• Halpin Partners

• Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf

•ID Blinds and Living

• Jackley’s Bakehouse

• Koppen Developments

• Little Aussie Monster

• Marrawah Law

• Mitch Wyper

• Outdoor Solutions QLD

• Oz Baby Hire

• Reece Irrigation and Pools

• Shai Ager

• Sleep Right Sleep Tight

• St Andrew’s Catholic College Music Department

• Stephanie Thomas

• Stratford Medical Centre

• Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef

• Terrain NRM

• The Agile Wallaby Project Incorporated

• The Bluewater Bar and Grill

• The Feed Shop

• TSW Solutions

• UMI Arts Ltd

• Veris

• WGC Lawyers