New South
Wales’s leading business organisation the NSW Business Chamber has strongly
welcomed calls for further tax relief for the state’s businesses, but measures
to help stimulate the NSW economy must not stop there.
“Further
cuts to payroll tax would be a good start, but we’re calling on both sides of
politics to consider a wider package of concrete measures to kickstart the NSW
economy”, NSW Business Chamber CEO Kevin MacDonald said.
“Tax is
not the only issue facing the state’s businesses in these turbulent economic
times and we’d urge the State Government to consider fast-tracking the planned
rollout of infrastructure to help stimulate the NSW economy and boost job
security.
“NSW
businesses are growing increasingly frustrated at the state’s infrastructure
deficit and expediting expenditure on key projects would help in kickstarting
construction activity and providing jobs for thousands of NSW residents.
“It’s
also of great concern to see reports that some hospitals in western New South
Wales are being refused credit by local businesses that are owed money by the
Greater Western Area Health Service.
“On time
payment of bills by government agencies is critical to small and medium size
businesses that are already doing it tough in the credit squeeze.
“Payroll
tax is a tax on jobs and a disincentive to business to keep hiring.
“While we
acknowledge that the State Government is cutting payroll tax to 5.5% by 2011, further
relief would be good for business, good for NSW and good for jobs.
“NSW
employers are doing it particularly tough at the moment and they are looking to
their elected leaders to provide constructive, prudent and responsible measures
to ease the pressure on their businesses.
“NSW
businesses are resilient, but with the state’s economic growth now in reverse,
consumer confidence in decline and business battling tighter credit conditions,
employers need encouragement to continue the great job they are doing in
providing jobs”, Mr MacDonald said.
