Business launches campaign for NSW recovery

29 April 2009

Peter Holmes Court will today launch a NSW Business Chamber campaign to make NSW the leading state once again.

NSW Business Chamber’s campaign – NSW: Reclaiming 1st – is being launched just two years out from the next state election and aimed at reenergising public policy debate in NSW.

"Business wants NSW to lead from the front. This can only be achieved through bold reform," said Patricia Forsythe, spokesman for the NSW: Reclaiming 1st campaign.

"NSW: Reclaiming 1st is an apolitical campaign. The stakes have become so high in NSW – between indefinite stagnation and progress – that the business community feels the need to take matters into its own hands and to put forward a clear reform agenda.

"Over the coming year we’ll be gathering the best and brightest minds from business, government and the community to develop policies which will turn this state around.

Mrs Forsythe said that the NSW: Reclaiming 1st campaign will feature four symposiums over the next year focused on key themes for policy development:

• Improving infrastructure
• Boosting the economy
• Reducing the burden on business
• Reforming government

"The economic fortunes of NSW have been stifled by a reform agenda that has been missing in action. We’ll be advocating solutions designed to grow the economy, reduce the red tape burden, boost infrastructure and reform government.

Mrs Forsythe said that following the input of business and community leaders, NSW Business Chamber will advocate policy proposals to Government and Opposition in the lead-up to the 2011 state election.

NSW Business Chamber represents over 22,000 businesses and is affiliated with 119 chambers of commerce throughout NSW and the ACT.

Media Contacts: Nick Davy 0412 179 215 and Chris Taylor 0419 692 236