Shadow Minister Media Releases
Libs & Nats Call On NSW Labor To Do More For Regional Growth (27/01/2010)
NSW Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird, Shadow Minister for Small Business Don Page and Duty MLC for Dubbo Duncan Gay met with members of the Dubbo business community today to discuss the Opposition’s plans for supporting business in regional centres.
“If the NSW Labor Government was serious about fixing the state’s economy, it would have implemented the NSW Liberals and Nationals payroll tax plan,” said Mr Baird.
“At the onset of the global financial crisis, the NSW Liberals & Nationals proposed a 15 percent cut in payroll tax to help keep people in their jobs.
“Areas of high unemployment further West of Dubbo such as Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett would benefit from a further 5 percent reduction in the payroll tax rate.
“Instead of adopting the Liberals & Nationals plan, NSW Labor chose to do nothing. The NSW Liberals and Nationals are committed to making payroll tax cuts a priority in Government,” Mr Baird said.
Mr Page said today’s visit was about talking face to face with Dubbo business owners to help the Liberals & Nationals address their needs in Government.
“The cost of doing business in NSW is far greater than other States due to our high regulation and uncompetitive taxes.
“A medium sized business employing 60 people pays 13 percent more in payroll tax in NSW compared with the national average- this simply has to change.
“CommSec’s State of the States report released earlier this month found NSW was ranked last over the past decade across key economic indicators such as home building starts, construction work, unemployment and economic growth. The NSW Liberals and Nationals want to change that,” said Mr Page.
Mr Gay said it was positive for both the potential NSW Treasurer and Small Business Minister to visit Dubbo.
“It was important that local Dubbo business owners and employees were given a direct line of communication with the Shadow Treasurer and Small Business Minister so that challenges being felt in Dubbo help shape our policies.
“We are looking forward to meeting with the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce this afternoon, before an evening with local business owners hosted by the newly formed Orana Regional Business Chamber.
“We welcome the opportunity to deal with all levels of business representation, from the regional chamber and local chamber right down to the individual business operator.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals are determined to put an end to Labor’s neglect of regional communities and make the interests of places like Dubbo a priority,” said Mr Gay.
