NSW Labor will back the state’s small businesses by ramping up local procurement as well as empowering small business by improving engagement with government.
Boosting local procurement
A Minns Labor Government will ramp up local procurement from small business by:
- Including a local supplier element to tender weightings which gives priority to small businesses in the area nearby the projects they are tendering for;
- Increasing the threshold for direct procurement with small business from $150,000 to $250,000;
- Increasing the proportion of government expenditure through procurement with small business from approximately 12 per cent at present, to 20 per cent by 2026 and 30 per cent by 2030;
- Only requiring small businesses to provide relevant insurance when a contract is awarded, and not when submitting a tender;
- Pre-qualifying small businesses as suppliers through a single form; and
- Simplifying contracts for whole of government schemes and key goods and services programs.
NSW Business Bureau
Labor will improve engagement between small business and government by establishing a NSW Business Bureau to navigate regulation and processes, as well as engage with overseas markets, by:
- Assisting businesses in navigating government regulatory framework;
- Reducing red tape;
- Providing support in tendering for government contracts;
- Guidance in accessing government programs, grants and initiatives, and how to use them to help grow their businesses; and
- Supporting small businesses to sell their goods and services overseas.
Charter for small business
NSW Labor will create a Charter for Small Business to provide small business with a voice and seat at the government policy making table, including:
- codifying the NSW Government’s commitment to small business, and the framework for which the NSW Government will engage with and support small businesses;
- recognising the importance of small business to local economies; providing valuable employment; and the role of NSW Government procurement to help small businesses grow; and
- consulting with the small business industry to develop new processes and performance metrics and allowing small business to be represented in policy development and decision making.
Quotes attributable to Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader:
“I know small businesses are doing it really tough right now.
“The cost of everything is going up, electricity prices are going through the roof.
“These small businesses are doing everything they can to stay afloat. But government needs to play its part.”
Quotes attributable to Daniel Mookhey, NSW Shadow Treasurer:
“When small business does well, our economy does well.
“We believe in our small businesses and we are backing them by boosting local procurement.”
Quotes attributable to Anoulack Chanthivong, NSW Shadow Minister for Industry & Trade:
“Labor’s plan will cut needless red tape and help small business navigate and access the support and services designed to support them, ensuring they can thrive across New South Wales and beyond.”
Quotes attributable to Steve Kamper, NSW Shadow Minister for Small Business:
“Labor acknowledges the significance of small businesses in our local communities and their contribution to the NSW economy, and a Minns Labor Government will give them the voice and seat at the table they deserve.”
CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER
DANIEL MOOKHEY MLC
NSW SHADOW TREASURER
ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY & TRADE
STEVE KAMPER MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR SMALL BUSINESS
