Bill Barry-Cotter plays host to Julie Bishop

by Bob Wonders on 27 Oct 2008 The Deputy Leader of the Federal Opposition and Shadow Treasurer, Julie Bishop, accompanied by local MP Stuart Robert and their respective Chiefs of Staff, were guests of Bill Barry-Cotter at the Maritimo headquarters last Friday.

Ms Bishop was on the Gold Coast at the invitation of Mr Robert, visiting small businesses that have been hard hit by the global financial crisis.

A member of the group told me that meeting with Barry-Cotter was considered a highlight of the Gold Coast tour because of his reputation both as a boating industry leader and as one of Australia’s most astute businessmen.

Ms Bishop launched a stinging attack on the Federal Government for what she called the ‘hasty decision’ in granting guarantees on funds to some financial institution while leaving others exposed.

'Frankly, the government has created an absolute mess and I call on Treasurer Wayne Swan to admit an error has been made,' she said.

'The government failed to seek advice directly from the Reserve Bank and it must do so now,' she declared.

Ms Bishop also attacked the government for what she called its ‘abandonment’ of small business.

Earlier, Barry-Cotter told the Deputy Leader that the current market was in the worst state he had ever seen.

'It’s worse than the Paul Keating ‘recession we had to have’ and it’s the last two interest rate rises which have contributed to the damage,' he explained.

'I have absolutely no confidence in the government and neither do my customers.

'You can state the obvious – it a combination of interest rate hikes and a lack of trust in the Federal Government that has led directly to the problems the industry is no attempting to deal with,' he added.

The visiting group was conducted on a tour of the Maritimo production lines by Barry-Cotter and marketing director Luke Durman, before adjourning for lunch where they were joined by Australian Marine Industries Federation president Barry Jenkins and Gold Coast City Marina chief Jeff Leigh-Smith.

Barry-Cotter described the Deputy Leader as 'a most impressive woman. 'As far as small business is concerned, she really has her finger on the pulse and recognises the problems we are facing,' he said. 'I wish there were more like her in Canberra.'