Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
Damien Tudehope
Shadow Treasurer
Tim James
Shadow Minister for Small Business
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has committed to bringing back the Business Connect program for the state's small businesses, which has been axed by the Minns Labor Government.
Mr Speakman said a Liberals and Nationals Government would reinstate the free advisory service which has helped 60,000 small businesses around NSW.
"The NSW Treasury commissioned an independent review into the program and found for every $1 spent, it brought in $1.50 in benefits back to NSW, and led to fewer businesses failing," Mr Speakman said.
"Since it was introduced by the Coalition Government in 2017, Business Connect has assisted more than 60,000 small businesses and helped create more than 40,000 new jobs.
"Business Connect offered up to eight hours per year of free, tailored advice to small businesses navigating compliance, planning, marketing and financial management."
Addressing a Business Forum in Kiama today, Mr Speakman said the Minns Labor Government's decision to axe Business Connect could be the final nail in the coffin for many already struggling small businesses.
"We all know how important small business is to the NSW economy – they're the backbone of local communities," Mr Speakman said.
"In regional areas the majority of local enterprises are small businesses: family-run, owner-operated and deeply connected to the community. Together, they sustain thousands of local jobs."
Shadow Minister for Small Business Tim James said the Minns Labor Government has turned its back on small businesses at a time when they need it most.
"Under the Minns Labor Government, bills are up, insolvencies are at record levels and many small businesses are struggling," Mr James said.
"In 2024-25, a record 7,643 businesses were forced into insolvency – a 26% increase in just one year.
"And to add insult to injury, Labor has ruthlessly cut a vital free support service for small business. From 1 October, Business Connect will gone with nothing to replace it.
"A NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will bring back Business Connect."
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said a Liberals and Nationals Government will also consider fairer payroll tax settings to support small and medium-sized businesses to ease the pressure on employers, keep prices down for consumers, and give businesses the breathing room they need to grow.
"The Minns Labor Government has frozen payroll tax thresholds — dragging another 1,200 businesses into payroll tax every year. Treasury forecasts show this stealth tax will rip an extra $500 million from employers over the next four years," Mr Tudehope said.
"Meanwhile, scrapping indexation of land tax thresholds will collect over $18 billion over the next decade.
"At a time when NSW can least afford it, we should be supporting businesses, not weighing them down."
