NSW Labor’s focus on small business and the energy bill pressures they’re facing has been welcomed by the state’s peak business group.

If elected, NSW Labor says it will offer energy relief to 320,000 eligible small businesses via $315 of taxpayer money which will come directly off their bills.

Labor says when its rebate is matched by funding from the Commonwealth Government’s rebate scheme, eligible NSW small businesses will see $630 directly debited off their electricity bill.

“Business NSW welcomes a focus on reducing increasing bill pressures on small businesses” Business NSW Executive Director David Harding said.

“We also have long been advocating, including during this election campaign, to fix the longer-term supply side issues that will continue to drive energy bills up – including securing intermediate gas supplies for NSW”.

“Business NSW research reveals most businesses are looking for assistance to lower their energy usage, yet small businesses report that retailers cannot provide this advice”

“Both the federal and state governments need to combine bill relief with consistent regulatory measures and advice that will enable businesses benefit early from energy transition, and also increase productivity”

“We have access to solar panels, data and sensing and monitoring technology, as well as more energy-efficient appliances but many businesses are unsure of what to invest in, and when, due to a lack of a clear energy transition plan.”