Forrestfield business owners have chance to quiz State candidates at CCI forum

BUSINESS owners in Forrestfield will have a chance to put hard questions to candidates contesting the seat in the upcoming State Election.

The WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has partnered with the Hills Gazette to bring together incumbent Nathan Morton and Labor challenger Stephen Price to debate issues affecting Forrestfield businesses on February 21 at the Boab Tavern.

CCI chief executive Deidre Willmott said the debate would give business owners an opportunity to come face-to-face with their local candidates and tell them what is keeping Forrestfield business owners up at night.

“This is an exclusive chance to meet with both parties and tell them what is holding Forrestfield businesses back from growing and creating jobs,” she said.

“CCI met Forrestfield business owners recently and they told us red tape, local content and training in particular were keeping local business owners up at night; businesses called out complicated local government regulations and a lack of communication between government departments as consistent problems that were making it harder to do business.

“CCI believes that helping business work helps West Australians work; CCI is proud to partner with Community Newspaper Group to bring the debate to the business owners of Forrestfield, to give businesses an exclusive opportunity to put the hard questions to candidates and make sure that they put businesses first in this election.”

Ms Willmott said small and medium businesses across the state also highlighted payroll tax as a roadblock to employment that crippled business growth and job creation.

“As a business’s total payroll approaches the $850,000 threshold, business owners tell CCI they stop employing more workers to prevent their business from suffering under the additional tax,” she said.

“CCI has a plan for job creation; independent modelling shows that lifting the payroll tax threshold by $100,000 would create nearly 900 full time jobs.

“CCI is calling on all major parties to stand up for small businesses and commit to permanent payroll tax reform, to give money back to mum and dad businesses so they can grow their business and create jobs for workers.

“CCI has created an online Payroll Tax Calculator that business owners can use to see how much they would save if the threshold was incrementally increased.

“CCI’s digital Helping Business Work Map also allows business owners in every state electorate to post their industry-related concerns onto a dedicated page for their seat.

“CCI is committed to helping business work by providing platforms and events where business owners can highlight key reforms that the future State Government should prioritise.”

Businesses attending the debate will also enjoy complimentary drinks, a light dinner and networking.

To register for the Forrestfield candidate debate, visit https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/forrestfield-candidate-debate.

To find out how much your business could save through payroll tax reform, visit payroll.cciwa.com.

To tell your local candidate what business in your electorate needs to grow visit waelection.cciwa.com.

Forrestfield election forum Hosts: Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Hills Gazette Where: Boab Tavern, Dundas Road, High Wycombe When: Tuesday, February 21, 5.30pm-7.30pm