Thurs 5 March - “It is the first time in the 15 year history of the report that we have seen business confidence at negative levels in any state or territory." Christena Singh, Sensis Business Index February 2009

The figures released today in the Sensis Business Index confirm that the economic management of the state by the NSW Labor Government has reached new lows, said Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird.

The survey of small to medium businesses found those in NSW hit a negative 3 percent, 15 percentage points below the national figure.

NSW became the first state to record a net negative level of business confidence in the 15 year history of the Sensis Business Index.

“This survey reveals the depths of concern businesses have about the state of the NSW economy.

“They have no confidence that the NSW Labor Government has the experience nor the capability to address the problems.

“Is it any wonder they feel this way considering the financial pain inflicted by the Rees Government through its much maligned Mini-Budget?

“At the very time businesses needed support they were hit with more taxes and charges.

“This is not just a short term blip, this is a sustained pattern. For the 20^th quarter in succession, the NSW Government has had the lowest level of support for a state or territory, at negative 40 percent.”

The key reasons businesses gave for the negative attitude were high taxation, payroll tax policies which do not support small business and a perception that there are internal problems within the government.

“Nathan Rees needs to listen to small business and adopt the Coalition’s policy on payroll tax to start restoring confidence in the financial management of the state,” Mr Baird said.

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed.
Name:
E-mail
Subject:
Comment:
Code:*

Comments (1)