Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) has welcomed initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of doing business as well as expanding the accessibility of apprenticeships throughout NSW unveiled as part of today’s 2018 – 19 State Budget. The Budget included measures such as progressively increasing the State’s payroll tax threshold from $750,000 to $1 million over four years and fully subsidising 100,000 new apprenticeship places as part of a $285 million skills and training package.
R&CA CEO Juliana Payne commended the NSW Government’s emphasis on small businesses in this year’s Budget, highlighting the benefits of reducing the burden associated with payroll tax and improving chronic skills shortages . “Undeniably, two of the biggest issues affecting the sustainability and profitability of businesses in the café, restaurant and catering sector are the cost of doing business and filling vacancies amongst key hospitality occupations.”
“R&CA has continually emphasised the need to reduce the burden of payroll tax and improve pathways to apprenticeships as part of its policy priorities. We are delighted that today the NSW Government has responded by an announcing an increase to the payroll tax threshold of $1 million and scrapping fees for eligible apprenticeships for four years.”
Ms Payne also welcomed the Government’s commitment to expanding the Easy to Do Business program which greatly simplifies the process of establishing a new café or restaurant business. “The feedback received from the NSW Government’s Easy to Do Business Program has been overwhelmingly positive thus far and we are pleased to see the Government’s investment of $37 million in today’s budget to accelerate the roll – out of this initiative. This program ensures that prospective café and restaurant – owners can get on with the job of running their businesses and employing people rather than dealing with a mountain of red tape during the set – up process,” Ms Payne said.
For further information on this media release, please contact: Juliana Payne Chief Executive Officer Restaurant & Catering Industry Association P: 1300 722 878
E: restncat@restaurantcater.asn.au
Original article: http://rca.asn.au/rca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/WEB-RCA-MEDIA-RELEASE-RCA-WELCOMES-PAYROLL-TAX-AND-TRAINING-INITIATIVES-IN-NSW-BUDGET-190618.pdf
