NSW businesses are urging the government to keep pushing forward with its reform agenda in preparation for the September Budget, following its first 100 days in office.

The NSW Government has taken important steps to address Business NSW election priorities, including moves to address icare governance and delivering welcome energy bill relief for SMEs.

NSW is the best state to grow a business and with sensible commitments to establish a NSW Business Bureau, improvements to procurement and keeping taxes competitive the Minns Government has a mandate to make it even better.

Business NSW CEO Dan Hunter says that, given the current economic environment, now more than ever the government must prioritise NSW businesses, and the communities that rely on them. 

“We have been pleased to see the government engage directly on important issues for business in the first 100 days – notably with its proactive approach to reforming workers’ compensation,” said Mr Hunter.

“While we have welcomed these green shoots it’s important the government focus on delivering reform that will bring back business confidence which is at its lowest level in 16 months.

“We urge that key programs for business like the MVP Ventures fund are unfrozen, as this is an important fund to grow vital enterprise across our state – businesses need to know the government is there to support their growth and innovation.  We will continue to work with NSW government on delivering prioritised, valuable venture funds to make NSW the Start up State.

“We were encouraged by commitments at the election to improve local procurement opportunities and the creation of a NSW Business Bureau – it’s time now to see the details for these business-focused initiatives.

“Access to affordable housing remains a critical issue for businesses across the state and we strongly support the news of planning reforms to finally start addressing this crisis facing NSW. Business NSW is a key advocacy partner for the delivery of affordable housing.

“We will continue to work closely with the government in the lead up to the budget to ensure business commitments made during the election are honoured,” said Mr Hunter.

Business commitments made by the NSW Government during the 2023 election:

• No new taxes on business in the next term of government 
• Boosting small business access to government procurement
• A NSW Business Bureau to improve government interface with business
• Reducing administrative red tape for payroll tax – 52,000 businesses to have the option of bypassing Revenue NSW and using the ATO “single-touch” payroll system
• Delivery of three Manufacturing Centres of Excellence in Illawarra, Western Sydney and the Hunter
• Commitment to conduct an audit of manufacturing in NSW
• $315 energy rebates for 320,000 eligible small businesses
• Acceleration of energy transition via NSW Energy Security Corporation
• $93.7 million to hire 1000 apprentices and trainees across the NSW Government by 2026
• Commitment to 30 per cent affordable housing on government-owned land
• Reform of the NSW workers’ compensation scheme to fix the broken claims management system