community - 2026-07-21

Opposition promises payroll tax cut after Brookvale business visit

Source: www.northernbeachesadvocate.com.au

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has pledged to cut payroll tax after visiting Brookvale structural steel supplier Edcon Steel, arguing the levy discourages local businesses from employing more people. The proposal, announced at the Winbourne Road business on Friday 26 June, would apply if the Coalition wins the NSW election in March 2027. Ms Sloane said small and medium businesses were facing a difficult operating environment and described payroll tax as a "tax on jobs" and growth. She said business owners around the state had raised concerns about closures and low confidence, and said a Coalition government would seek to reduce taxes that affected hiring. The proposed reforms would aim to make NSW the country's most competitive state for payroll tax, according to Ms Sloane. She said about 4,000 businesses would be removed from the payroll tax system altogether, while another 25,000 would receive what she described as the lowest payroll tax rate in Australia. For businesses already large enough to pay the tax, the practical question is whether lower payroll costs would make it easier to retain staff or add positions. The policy details, including the proposed rates,...