The South Australian Business Chamber CEO Andrew Kay was eagerly awaiting announcements from Treasurer Stephen Mulligan in today’s State Budget Lockup that would provide some much-needed relief for businesses, relief that never came.
“As expected, today’s budget predominantly addressed cost of living pressures, with high levels of funding allocated to health, housing, and child protection.
“Businesses face many of these same cost pressures and more in an environment where wages are growing significantly, and the economy is slowing.
“Where households receive some respite in this budget, businesses do not,“ said Mr Kay.
Today is a missed opportunity for South Australia to continue to build on its profile as a great place to do business.
“We were hoping to see relief in the form of lifting the payroll tax threshold which is becoming an increasing burden on SA businesses as wages grow.
“Through no fault of their own, business owners are now carrying extra costs under a model discouraging growth and job creation.
“Today’s announcements mean the government is banking additional payroll tax dollars off the back of rising wages, and business is doing the heavy lifting”, Mr Kay added.
The South Australian Business Chamber was pleased to see $6.5m allocated to the small and family business strategy and looks forward to seeing how it will support and protect small businesses in South Australia.
MEDIA CONTACT
Anthony Caldwell, Manager – Marketing, Media, Communications
Phone – 0421 508 075
Email – anthony.caldwell@business-sa.com
