Funding to boost local manufacturing and cost relief for small and family businesses top CCIWA’s wish list ahead of Thursday’s state budget.
CCIWA’s pre-budget submission has recommended appropriate funding be allocated to the Cook government’s flagship Made in WA policy, aimed at boosting local manufacturing. There should also be a strong focus on bolstering the state’s economic resilience given growing global uncertainty.
CCIWA’s Chief Economist, Aaron Morey, said the success of the Made in WA policy relies on real financial commitment from the government.
“This initiative provides an opportunity to turbo-charge manufacturing in WA to ensure our manufacturing sector is able to capitalise on opportunities in clean energy, defence, resources and other areas,” he said.
“To achieve this, there needs to be real support to build awareness and activate capacity within WA’s business community.
“We’d like to see a significant funding commitment to support businesses, as well as a focus on building the skills that will be needed to deliver on the government’s ambitions.”
CCIWA is also calling for action to reduce the payroll tax burden on small and medium-sized businesses, by lifting the threshold from $1 million in payroll to $1.3 million.
“27% of employing businesses in WA pay payroll tax, and they’re paying more than they would in any other state,” Mr Morey said.
“Payroll tax is consistently the number one state government issue raised by businesses and causes more financial distress than any other area in the government’s control.”
Mr Morey said regional housing supply should also be a priority in this budget.
“In particular, we think the government should look closely at the program that provides housing to public sector workers like teachers, nurses and police in regional WA, known as Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH),” he said.
“There are significant inefficiencies in this program and it is constrained by a set of unworkable rules, tying up properties and putting pressure on the private rental market in regional towns.
“We urge the government to review the GROH policy to weed out inefficiencies.”
CCIWA’s full budget submission can be found here: 2025-26 Pre-budget Submission — CCIWA
