The package has been announced as part of a second stimulus from the NSW Government including a $1 billion Working for NSW fund.

“There will be a deferral of payroll tax for six months for larger businesses with annual payrolls over $10 million, and also on top of the announcement last week that businesses with payrolls of less than $10 million will receive a three-month waiver, these medium sized businesses will now get an additional three month payroll tax deferral,” said Business NSW CEO Stephen Cartwright.

“Any assistance for business owners at this time is appreciated because it might just make the difference in saving a job,” Mr Cartwright said.

“There is a lot of concern among the business community at the moment about what the future holds for their business and their staff, many of whom have been part of family operations for generations.

“Business NSW would also like to see some assistance for the hundreds of thousands of businesses who don’t pay payroll tax – the sole traders and the mum and dad businesses with a couple of staff members who don’t know where to turn to for help at the moment. 

“The Premier, Deputy Premier and the Treasurer have shown their support for NSW businesses to date, and it’s natural that large employing businesses receive some relief, but this pandemic is hitting every single part of the economy, and the vast bulk of businesses in NSW are actually small businesses.

“Business NSW will continue to tell our political leaders that more help is needed for SME’s, especially those regionally based members who’ve also battled drought and bushfires in recent times. It’s vital that businesses receive proper advice about what steps to take for their business – that’s why we have spoken to the Government about providing vouchers for small business owners to spend with their accountant or financial advisor to get that crucial guidance.

“The package announced by the NSW Government also defers rents for six months for commercial tenants with less than 20 employees in all Government-owned properties, as well as deferring parking space levies and funding government paid jobs in COVID-19 related areas such as cleaning services and Service NSW centres.

“What is clear is that specific industries will need support as this pandemic continues, and Business NSW looks forward to working with the Government, as it has always done, on the best way to support business and ensure spending is targeted towards the industries that need it most.” Mr Cartwright said.

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Stephen Cartwright

The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, says the State Government has to take a bold approach in June’s State Budget to restore confidence and avoid job losses, as the impact of COVID-19 begins to take hold. 

Business NSW has formally lodged its Pre-Budget submission with the Government.

“With everything the State has confronted — from weak household demand, drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 — we need robust action from the Government to ensure NSW remains the place to do business in Australia,” said Business NSW Chief Executive Stephen Cartwright.

Measures Business NSW is calling on the Government to introduce in the Budget include:

• reducing payroll tax to protect employment in the sectors most affected
• deferring payroll tax for SMEs to support business cash flow
• halting any increases in government-related fees and charges for business, including workers compensation premiums
• implementing targeted stimulus for businesses in heavily affected industries such as tourism
• establishing measures to better prepare NSW for future economic shocks.

“The focus of government should be on limiting the impact of government taxes, fees and charges so communities and their local economies can recover sooner,” Mr Cartwright said.

“Equally, sufficient resources will need to be made available to look after those directly and indirectly affected by recent and ongoing events. This must also include support for businesses which are vital to employment in NSW’s regional communities.

“Prior to last year’s State Election, Business NSW advocated for policy measures to protect NSW from natural disasters including reducing taxes on insurance, providing flexible payroll tax arrangements and ensuring businesses get Government support from disasters quickly.

“Our submission calls for a tax relief package which would send a strong signal of support and provide businesses and consumers with the confidence to maintain spending, investment and employment levels. Last week the Queensland Government gave their employers a six month payroll tax holiday – it’s time for NSW to do the same.

“The benefits would extend beyond the direct relief offered to eligible employers by giving communities, including employees and small business suppliers, greater confidence concerning their financial resilience during these tough times. There is also a strong case for targeted payroll tax reductions to support employers most at risk of reducing staffing levels.

“Our submission also points to the need to start planning now for the economic recovery and for strategies to help industries, especially tourism, take advantage of the recovery opportunities,” Mr Cartwright said.

Read the submission.

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Stephen Cartwright

The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, says more needs to be done to expedite recovery efforts from the bushfire crisis that hit the state over the New Year period.

 “It’s both disappointing and frustrating that there’s a slanging match between the Federal and State Governments over how best to get these communities back on their feet,” said Business NSW Chief Executive Stephen Cartwright.

“Being based in Batemans Bay this week (as part of the Australian Chamber’s Executive Board and Council meetings supporting the Backing the Bush initiative) has highlighted how much these communities still need our help,” Mr Cartwright said.

“It’s clear that the criteria used to assess those eligible for direct assistance was either too tight or onerous, with many businesses ineligible or unable to ask for help despite the fact they were unable to trade for weeks on end.

“The other clear problem has been the mammoth effort required to date, and still to come, in removing burnt out debris from homes and businesses premises.

“Until I travelled up and down the Coast the last couple of days and spoke with small business owners, I couldn’t comprehend the scale of the recovery effort still required. 

“These business owners want to re-open their doors and provide a wage for their employees, but the debris removal process is taking far too long.

“Of course, everything has to be done in an organised and safe manner, but at the same time if more hands are needed, then call them in.

“I know for a fact there are crews from Productivity Bootcamp, who were paid to complete their training by the Federal Government, who are on standby to help with the removal of debris, but so far no one seems to be interested. 

“While much of the focus has moved away from the bushfire crisis, these communities can’t hope to recover unless there is constant awareness of the changing nature of the obstacles they are facing,” Mr Cartwright said. 

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Stephen Cartwright

The 2020 Infrastructure Priority List released by Infrastructure Australia contains very few new ideas, but does suggest plenty of room for progress, according to the State’s peak business organization, Business NSW.

Including new priorities and those already on the list from previous years, there are 63 priorities on the list that are entirely in NSW, or are national priorities that would partly occur within NSW.

“The list identifies dozens of NSW projects which are in development. However, it highlights the need for projects in NSW to move off the drawing board and into implementation,” said Business NSW Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cartwright.

“We aren’t lacking in ideas to improve NSW’s infrastructure. What we need are investment decisions from Government and its partners,” Mr Cartwright said

“Business NSW is concerned that, just because this State is ahead of other States and Territories and has already funded some of its projects, the Commonwealth should not view NSW as already fully catered for.

“With our growing population and increasing demands on infrastructure, NSW is in a position where we needs to run as fast as we can just to stand still. Without further funding for major projects in the years to come, NSW and the greater Sydney region will fall behind competitor regions in Australia and around the world.

“The Infrastructure Priority List added several nationwide strategies with relevance to NSW, including high priority initiatives for a National Water Strategy and a Town and City Water Strategy, as well as regional telecommunications coverage and regional road improvements.

“The broadening scope of the Priority List is welcome. It is important for officials to remember that infrastructure isn’t just about high-profile big city projects. Regional NSW has been suffering the impacts of drought for several years.

“Governments need to do more to support commercial activity in the regions. Improving water supply and efficiency will help protect vulnerable businesses from the worst effects the next time drought conditions set in.

“In a year that has seen drought, bushfires and flooding, the List’s emphasis on resilience in infrastructure is timely. It will be important for Governments to convert these plans from high-level strategy to concrete proposals in the months to come” Mr Cartwright said. 

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