Will Queensland get a budget that makes us the best state to do business?
With Queensland taking out this year’s State of Origin title, it’s time to take that competitive spirit from the sporting field into supporting the small business sector, said the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ).
Queensland’s highly anticipated state budget will be delivered in December, and for Queensland to be the best place in Australia to do business, it must focus on providing substance and support for Queensland’s small businesses explained CCIQ’s general manager of advocacy and policy, Amanda Rohan.
“Last week the NSW Government delivered a budget that provided a raft of measures to bolster business, including payroll tax relief, $500 million for residents to spend on eating and entertainment local businesses and $1500 program to offset the costs of government fees and charges,” Ms Rohan said.
“And we are hopeful the Palaszczuk Government’s budget will surpass those announcements and commit to the pre-election promises of ‘Big Plans for Small Business’.
“Business needs the confidence of knowing that they really are in the best state to run a business.
“The Palaszczuk Government can provide that in the December state budget by implementing both immediate and longer-term measures to support business,” Ms Rohan said.
CCIQ is calling for:
- A complete waiver the COVID payroll tax deferral obligations, as this will insulate businesses ahead of the ending of the JobKeeper stimulus;
- Further amendments to the payroll tax system, to make it easier for businesses to employ people now and into the future;
- Targeted funding for business education programs;
- Activation of the $4 billion available in procurement tenders and contracts for SMEs to do business with government; and
- Incentives for businesses to invest in technologies that reduce their business operating costs.
Ms Rohan explained if business can be supported through these measures, it will help offset some of the external factors still being experienced due to the COVID pandemic.
“The looming end of current stimulus measures, such as JobKeeper and rent relief which is weighing heavily on business confidence. So this upcoming budget must also be agile to adapt to the ever-changing conditions we are still experiencing, so business knows there will be support for them when they need it.
“We are urging the Palaszczuk to position Queensland the best place in Australia to do business, by delivering a business-friendly budget that will make us the envy of all business owners in the country,” said Ms Rohan.
ENDS
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