Political Lobbying 101 for Restaurant, Cafe and Bar Owners
In the ever-changing world of hospitality, remaining successful requires constant flexibility and resilience. The challenges facing our industry are significant – rising supply and wage costs, labour shortages, increased rents, and government regulations. Now, more than ever, it’s important to engage positively with your local, state, and federal representatives to secure the financial help and support necessary for business growth and prosperity.
Why Your Personal Voice Matters
Lobbying isn’t just for big corporations; small businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, have a powerful voice when they speak up – we are main street businesses everyone notices. Politicians are keenly aware of the hospitality industry’s importance to the economy and employment. You can help shape policies that provide much-needed relief and support by presenting your case effectively.
Key Issues to Address when Talking to Politicians
First: Share the Good News! Make sure they (or their office) receive your email newsletter and any announcements about winning awards, the new menu, events, and other activities. Who knows, your local MP or rep may want to call in or feature your success – they’re always keen to be seen doing the right thing with small businesses.
Rising Business Costs: energy, rent, and food costs always increase, squeezing margins because they are difficult to pass on to customers.
Increased Taxation: this could be payroll taxes, liquor excise, or the personal tax level of your lower-paid workers. Quote rates and amounts.
Labour Shortages: our sector continues to struggle with finding and retaining staff. We need streamlined and consistent visa processing for overseas workers and support for training programmes. Talk about how many vacancies you have and how long jobs take to fill.
Excessive Regulation and Red Tape: navigating the complex web of regulations can be time-consuming and costly – give examples from forms you recently had to fill in.
Support for Local Development: good roads and footpaths, public transport and parking, parks that attract people – the infrastructure that makes your location great for people to visit and enjoy hospitality.
How to Approach Your MP or a Local Politician
Be Prepared: gather data on how specific issues affect your business – real numbers are persuasive. Use financial records, customer feedback, and staff testimonials to build a compelling case. Back them up with Census information for your local area, showing population type and changes, plus employment in our sector.
Be Clear, Concise and Positive: politicians are busy, and most people approach them with complaints or problems. Make sure your message is clear, concise, and focused on key issues, quoting numbers. We encourage business owners to think of ‘deposits and withdrawals’ when talking to staff ie offering regular praise and appreciation puts you in a strong position when you need to give negative feedback or correction. Think similarly with politicians – what can you thank them for or praise? They (and the staff who usually receive your message) have feelings too. Nothing more tedious than someone who’s always complaining!
Build Relationships and Make Friends: keep in touch and ask them around for coffee, not just when you need help. Would they like a photo with the apprentices or staff in their new uniforms? When it’s election time, listen favourably to their request for support. The old saying still applies: ‘make friends before you ask for favours’.
Collaborate With Others: join local business groups, chambers of commerce, or hospitality associations to amplify your voice. Sometimes, these groups can be long-winded and short on action – link up with the people who do things, not just talk about it. Collective lobbying is impactful – when 12 local cafe owners speak with one voice to the local council, they know it’s serious!
Practical Steps to Take
Write a Letter or Email: start with a formal introduction, clearly state your business’s situation, and outline the specific support you need. Personalise your message to reflect your unique circumstances. Quote numbers and real examples – transparency is powerful. Use AI to help you put the message together – ask ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to write a persuasive letter to a politician that covers the issues you list – if you’re not an experienced writer, this can give you a solid start.
Issues you may want to include:
Is the number of people you employed this month (or week) higher than 12 months ago? How many more or less?
Number of hours you paid people for this week compared to 12 months ago.
Sales this week or month, compared to 12 months ago.
How much you paid for certain supplies this month compared to 12 months ago.
The price per kWh for power this month compared to 12 months ago.
How long it takes for staff from overseas to get visa approvals.
Request a Meeting: face-to-face meetings (or virtual) can be more effective. Prepare a brief presentation and be ready to discuss your points in detail. Listen, don’t just talk.
Follow-up: don’t be put off if you don’t get an immediate response. Follow up politely but persistently.
Tone Down the Politics. You may have strong feelings about how certain issues have been handled or the actions of politicians. Keep those for a separate email. For now, make your message factual and unemotional – alert your representative to what this is doing for you and your family, the people you employ and the whole area. These are her voters!
Hospitality is the lifeblood of our communities, providing jobs and life skills, supporting tourism, and creating vibrant social spaces. By actively working with your political representative and advocating for your needs, you can help ensure the growth of your business and the wider industry.
In the ever-changing world of hospitality, remaining successful requires constant flexibility and resilience. The challenges facing our industry are significant – rising supply and wage costs, labour shortages, increased rents, and government regulations. Now, more than ever, it’s important to engage positively with your local, state, and federal representatives to secure the financial help and support necessary for business growth and prosperity.
Why Your Personal Voice Matters
Lobbying isn’t just for big corporations; small businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, have a powerful voice when they speak up – we are main street businesses everyone notices. Politicians are keenly aware of the hospitality industry’s importance to the economy and employment. You can help shape policies that provide much-needed relief and support by presenting your case effectively.
Key Issues to Address when Talking to Politicians
First: Share the Good News! Make sure they (or their office) receive your email newsletter and any announcements about winning awards, the new menu, events, and other activities. Who knows, your local MP or rep may want to call in or feature your success – they’re always keen to be seen doing the right thing with small businesses.
Rising Business Costs: energy, rent, and food costs always increase, squeezing margins because they are difficult to pass on to customers.
Increased Taxation: this could be payroll taxes, liquor excise, or the personal tax level of your lower-paid workers. Quote rates and amounts.
Labour Shortages: our sector continues to struggle with finding and retaining staff. We need streamlined and consistent visa processing for overseas workers and support for training programmes. Talk about how many vacancies you have and how long jobs take to fill.
Excessive Regulation and Red Tape: navigating the complex web of regulations can be time-consuming and costly – give examples from forms you recently had to fill in.
Support for Local Development: good roads and footpaths, public transport and parking, parks that attract people – the infrastructure that makes your location great for people to visit and enjoy hospitality.
How to Approach Your MP or a Local Politician
Be Prepared: gather data on how specific issues affect your business – real numbers are persuasive. Use financial records, customer feedback, and staff testimonials to build a compelling case. Back them up with Census information for your local area, showing population type and changes, plus employment in our sector.
Be Clear, Concise and Positive: politicians are busy, and most people approach them with complaints or problems. Make sure your message is clear, concise, and focused on key issues, quoting numbers. We encourage business owners to think of ‘deposits and withdrawals’ when talking to staff ie offering regular praise and appreciation puts you in a strong position when you need to give negative feedback or correction. Think similarly with politicians – what can you thank them for or praise? They (and the staff who usually receive your message) have feelings too. Nothing more tedious than someone who’s always complaining!
Build Relationships and Make Friends: keep in touch and ask them around for coffee, not just when you need help. Would they like a photo with the apprentices or staff in their new uniforms? When it’s election time, listen favourably to their request for support. The old saying still applies: ‘make friends before you ask for favours’.
Collaborate With Others: join local business groups, chambers of commerce, or hospitality associations to amplify your voice. Sometimes, these groups can be long-winded and short on action – link up with the people who do things, not just talk about it. Collective lobbying is impactful – when 12 local cafe owners speak with one voice to the local council, they know it’s serious!
Practical Steps to Take
Write a Letter or Email: start with a formal introduction, clearly state your business’s situation, and outline the specific support you need. Personalise your message to reflect your unique circumstances. Quote numbers and real examples – transparency is powerful. Use AI to help you put the message together – ask ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to write a persuasive letter to a politician that covers the issues you list – if you’re not an experienced writer, this can give you a solid start.
Issues you may want to include:
Request a Meeting: face-to-face meetings (or virtual) can be more effective. Prepare a brief presentation and be ready to discuss your points in detail. Listen, don’t just talk.
Follow-up: don’t be put off if you don’t get an immediate response. Follow up politely but persistently.
Tone Down the Politics. You may have strong feelings about how certain issues have been handled or the actions of politicians. Keep those for a separate email. For now, make your message factual and unemotional – alert your representative to what this is doing for you and your family, the people you employ and the whole area. These are her voters!
Where to Find Government MPs and Representatives
Australian Govt MPs and New Zealand Govt MPs
State Government MPs: NSW — Victoria — Queensland — South Australia — Western Australia — Tasmania — ACT — Northern Territory.
Hospitality is the lifeblood of our communities, providing jobs and life skills, supporting tourism, and creating vibrant social spaces. By actively working with your political representative and advocating for your needs, you can help ensure the growth of your business and the wider industry.
Check the other useful blog posts on the Foodie Coaches website…
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