Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby-Parliamentary Secretary) [6.15 p.m.]: As a proud Liberal member I share the party's firm belief that the small business sector is the engine of growth in the New South Wales economy, which is one of our State's greatest assets and strengths. It is for this reason that I want the New South Wales Government to develop closer ties with small businesses to help them to grow and prosper. Recently I helped to organise and facilitate a small business networking forum in Hornsby where local business owners could come together to showcase local business opportunities, share their industry expertise and learn how the New South Wales Government can better assist their needs.
The event also provided an opportunity to bring business owners together to share their experiences and challenges and work together to find ways to make their lives easier in the Hornsby area.
A diverse range of businesses were in attendance at the forum representing more than 160 businesses including Westfield Hornsby, HSBC Bank, Absolute Thai, Sydney Conveyancing, Berowra Outdoor Centre, Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers, i Talk Travel, the Bush Telegraph Weekly, Studio ARTES disability group and Hornsby Lions Club. The forum also featured an address from our special guest speaker for the evening, NSW Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs. We can have every confidence that in Robyn Hobbs we have an outstanding advocate for small businesses across this State. She is passionate and hardworking. Ms Hobbs has had a successful career running businesses large and small. With dirt under her fingernails, as the saying goes, she has a great deal of knowledge to impart to small business owners in her role supporting them in this State.
Ms Hobbs used her address to remind local business owners of just how vital and valuable their role is in making up 96 per cent of all New South Wales businesses. Ms Hobbs went on to explain to guests the NSW Small Business Commission's role in being an independent arm of the Government that has been set up to help ensure that small businesses have a sustainable and healthy place within the New South Wales economy. Among the issues discussed were ways in which the Small Business Commission can assist small businesses by cutting red tape, ensuring that there is a level playing field, improving regional economies, working with council's business engagement methods and reaching out to multicultural business communities. By co-hosting the forum with Hornsby Business Alliance President Bill Tyrrell and Small Biz Matters Triple H radio show host, Alexi Boyd, I was able to better connect with the local business community and listen to its individual and collective concerns.
Together we were also able to raise $400 for St Lucy's School at Wahroonga for children with disabilities and hearing defects. It was great to see businesses dig deep to support a very important cause. The school's principal, Dr Georgina Reynhaut, even let me join the Week Without Words awareness campaign. I did not quite last a week but I undertook the challenge for a solid four hours. That was hard work for someone who likes to have a chat as much as I do. A successful business forum takes plenty of preparation. I sincerely thank Bill Tyrell and Alexi Boyd for their hard work in organising the event with my staff member Heidi Cameron. I congratulate Bill Tyrell on his re-election as President of the Hornsby Chamber of Commerce. He has performed outstandingly in the role for many years and he will continue to do a fantastic job on behalf of small businesses in our community.
The event was a big success thanks to the talented trio I mentioned and the Hornsby Business Alliance executive team made up of Darren Hart, Paul Julien and Maree Garrett. With their help I was able to hear about a broad range of issues affecting local businesses including their most common concern—government red tape and its flow-on effects to business productivity. I want all small business owners in my electorate and across the State to know that the New South Wales Government has heard their concerns and is committed to working better with them to cut the unnecessary and costly red tape that makes small business life harder.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our nation. It makes no sense for the Government to restrict them or to make it harder for them to grow, to trade or to provide employment opportunities. Since coming to office, this Government has overhauled the Labor Party's cruel imposts on small business operators. I am proud of this Government's achievements to date, which include the appointment of a small business commissioner for New South Wales who provides an advocate within government for the needs of small businesses. The Government has also reformed the workers compensation scheme and in so doing prevented a $750 million increase in premiums for employers and protected 12,600 jobs. It also eliminated vehicle registration stickers, which is estimated to save $5 million each year for New South Wales businesses or 160,000 hours of unnecessary work dealing with red tape. The 2013-14 budget raised the payroll tax threshold from $689,000 to $750,000, thereby exempting 13,000 new businesses from payroll tax and saving all businesses liable for payroll tax an average of $3,300.
Looking forward, the Government will continue to work with the NSW Business Chamber to fund and deliver more infrastructure across New South Wales through public asset swaps, revitalising and reforming local government, improving the State's energy security and addressing pricing challenges, and reviewing the tax scheme. These changes will better equip New South Wales to attract greater investment opportunities, further develop the jobs market, and encourage economic growth to support our growing population.
