Kellie Sloane
Leader of the Opposition
Gurmesh Singh
NSW Nationals Leader
Shadow Minister for Small Business
The NSW Liberals and Nationals are encouraging everyone to shop local this Small Business Month, as struggling businesses face rising costs, weak confidence and record insolvencies.
Supporting small business also means reducing the costs of running one, which is why the NSW Liberals and Nationals will deliver significant payroll tax relief while the Minns Labor Government continues to squeeze businesses with high taxes and charges.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said a stronger local economy means more local jobs and a stronger future for the families running small businesses.
“Confidence has fallen to record lows under the Minns Labor Government, with more than 6,200 NSW businesses closing their doors in 2025,” Ms Sloane said.
“I want people to shop local and support small businesses in October but we must do better when it comes to the taxes and charges under Labor.”
“Business is what drives our state, it’s creating the jobs in communities, and we need to give them a reason to hire and take on that extra apprentice which is why the NSW Liberals and Nationals will deliver the most competitive payroll tax regime in the country.”
The NSW Small Business Commissioner’s July Momentum Survey showed that:
- Only six per cent of business owners expected profitability to increase, compared with 63 per cent expecting a decline.
- Just nine per cent of businesses were confident about their local economy.
- Almost 70 per cent were extremely or fairly worried about their own business prospects.
NSW Nationals Leader and Shadow Minister for Small Business Gurmesh Singh said it’s never been harder to operate a small business in NSW.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, especially in regional NSW. They provide jobs and contribute to local organisations like schools and sporting clubs,” Mr Singh said.
“Under the Minns Labor Government, red tape and inflation are increasing and margins are shrinking. Only the Liberals and Nationals have a plan to restore business confidence across NSW.”
Small Business month runs from Thursday 1 October to Saturday 31 October.
