THE Albury-Wodonga Community Network has received a cheque for $26,530 from the NSW government for its work with the No Interest Loans Scheme.
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The funding boost was announced by Fair Trading Minister Matthew Mason-Cox on a visit to Albury yesterday, when he joined departmental staff in delivering the My Place Program to consumers and businesses.
Fair Trading experts are hosting free sessions and seminars on incorporated associations, building contractors, consumer rights and residential tenancy information.
“These programs provide a wealth of information for anyone running a business and give locals an insight into their rights and responsibilities as consumers,” Mr Mason-Cox said.
“We’ve learnt first hand business in Albury is going well, but there are some challenges.
“It is important Australian consumer law is there to protect them and the traders understand responsibilities under that law.”
Mr Mason-Cox said the government was making inroads into cutting red tape.
“We had a policy of reducing red tape by 25 per cent and we’ve reduced it by a lot more.
“The improvements have been spectacular.
“This is a government that gets out of the way of business.”
Mr Mason-Cox said the NSW government was committed to supporting services such as the Albury-Wodonga Community Network.
“It is a scheme that reaches out to the vulnerable in the community,” he said.
“They are able to access funds to buy essential goods like a refrigerator or bed for their kids or a computer to start a small business with.
The loan program has been operating in Albury since 2008 and also supports residents in Corowa, Greater Hume, Leeton and Lockhart.