Dwyer Welcomes Payroll Tax Reforms to Back Mid North Coast Businesses and Jobs

Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed a major commitment from the NSW Liberals and Nationals to deliver the most competitive payroll tax regime in Australia, saying the reforms will provide much-needed relief for small and medium-sized businesses across the Mid North Coast.

The proposed changes form part of a broader plan to grow the economy, support local jobs and help families get ahead.

Mr Dwyer said local businesses have been doing it tough amid rising costs, labour shortages and economic uncertainty, and deserved a government focused on helping them succeed.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and the heart of our communities," Mr Dwyer said.

"Having run small and medium sized businesses for almost 30 years, I understand the pressures business owners face every day. I know how time consuming and frustrating dealing with red tape can be. Doing the payroll tax return is onerous. The reform will remove around 4,000 businesses from the system all together.

“We need a government that backs businesses, not one that makes it harder to invest, employ staff and grow."

The NSW Liberals and Nationals have announced plans to:

• Increase the payroll tax threshold from $1.2 million to $1.5 million.
• Reduce the payroll tax rate from 5.45 per cent to 4.75 per cent for businesses with a total Australian payroll below $10 million.
• Introduce CPI indexation to payroll tax thresholds to prevent bracket creep.
  
  

Mr Dwyer said the reforms would help businesses keep more of their hard-earned money, encouraging investment, job creation and economic growth throughout regional NSW.

"These changes will remove thousands of businesses from the payroll tax system altogether and provide significant savings for many more."

"For local employers, that could mean more money available to hire staff, invest in equipment, expand operations and strengthen their businesses," Mr Dwyer said.



The announcement comes as NSW records the lowest economic growth rate of any state, with growth of just 0.9 per cent last year, while business confidence has fallen and more than 6,200 businesses closed their doors across the state.

Mr Dwyer said strong economic management was essential to creating opportunities for local families and ensuring regional communities continued to prosper.

"When businesses thrive, communities thrive."

"More successful businesses mean more local jobs, stronger wages and greater opportunities for young people and families across Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast," Mr Dwyer said.

In addition to payroll tax reform, the NSW Liberals and Nationals have committed to:

• Repealing Labor's union spy powers laws.
• Doubling funding for Business Connect.
• Reducing pressure on business energy costs by increasing energy supply and improving energy security.
• Developing a comprehensive industry strategy to support investment and jobs growth across key sectors.
  
  

Mr Dwyer said the package demonstrated a clear commitment to restoring confidence and driving economic growth across NSW.

"This is about creating the right conditions for businesses to succeed, supporting local jobs and ensuring our region continues to grow and prosper into the future," he said.