Victorian agribusiness must be a priority in 2017-18 State Budget

THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry today launches its pre-budget submission to the State Government, outlining nine key recommendations that are vital to ensure success for Victorian businesses in 2017-18 and beyond.

A key recommendation of the Victorian Chamber’s submission is for Victorian agribusiness to be the next priority in the State Government’s small business regulation review.

The Victorian Chamber believes this must be done through a complete review of regulatory burdens facing those operating in the agribusiness sector.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone AM said specific reforms to red tape should be identified and implemented to support the industry.

“Victoria’s is known to be a producer of high quality food and fibre and simplifying regulatory processes must be promoted and prioritised to enable business expansion,” he said.

“Our state’s agribusiness producers have indicated that costly and unnecessary red tape needs to be addressed if we are to enable them to be more competitive at home and abroad.

“We must improve the regulatory process for agribusiness producers so it is not as complex and inconsistent as it currently is, across all three levels of government. If regulation is simpler and easier to navigate, our state will benefit from more innovation and business startups, and lift our reputation as a premium agribusiness producer.”

The Victorian Chamber is delighted that one of its longstanding recommendations, the North East Link, has already been committed to prior to the budget being handed down.

Other recommendations of the Victorian Chamber’s State Budget Submission are:

  • Increase the payroll tax threshold to $850,000 by 1 July 2018
  • Allocate $25 million to extend Back to Work to small businesses with turnover of less than $2 million
  • Create a $5 million Export Insights program to help new exporters engage with international markets.
  • Allocate $23 million a year to support Visit Victoria in regional, domestic and international marketing activities.
  • Ensure expenditure growth does not exceed revenue growth.

About the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

www.victorianchamber.com.au

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