A sharp drop in sales for the first three months of 2018 has hit profitability and business confidence across NSW, according to the NSW Business Chamber’s latest Business Conditions Survey.

“Businesses have said the first part of the year was tough, sales just weren’t there,” says Damian Kelly from the NSW Business Chamber.

Businesses identified energy costs as a major concern, with 50% of those surveyed highlighting the issue as a key cost control priority.

“The rising issue of energy affordability is really starting to hit home as energy prices for business budgets hit in,” says Mr Kelly.

“It makes it difficult for business to plan for the future, in terms of up-scaling. They’re pressing pause on a lot of these decisions.”

The NSW Business Chamber is also calling for payroll tax to be reduced, saying the move would drive investment in capital and jobs growth for small business.

“Payroll tax, we call it a jobs killer. They aren’t going to put on an extra staff member, because it is going to cost them money.”

“It’s just absurd.”

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