Overview
- Opposition leader Kellie Sloane rolled out a pre‑election package that would raise the payroll tax threshold from $1.2 million to $1.5 million and cut the rate to 4.75% for businesses with payrolls under $10 million.
- The Coalition also promised a freeze on developer contributions until June 30 and a change to make payments due at project completion rather than approval.
- Sloane pledged a new Western Sydney City Deal and progress on a south‑west Sydney metro while announcing a pause to the New England renewable energy zone and the scrapping of a controversial transmission line.
- The opposition has not published offsets for the lost revenue and Labor estimates the cuts would cost about $3 billion over four years while budget papers show payroll tax receipts were expected to rise by $943 million over the same period.
- Business groups have welcomed the changes as pro‑growth but experts warn the metro promises need federal funding and large projects have already seen more than $6 billion in cost blowouts, raising questions about delivery and budget credibility.