Victoria’s business decline is set to continue as South Australia launches a fresh campaign to lure local businesses and the jobs they provide interstate.
The new campaign by Invest SA highlights the Andrews Government’s unenviable nation-leading taxes and higher costs of doing business in Victoria, including new increases to payroll tax, land tax and WorkCover premiums.
Today’s reports follow recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) which confirmed that the number of registered businesses in Victoria fell by 7,606 across 2022-23, the only state or territory to experience a fall over this period.
Shadow Treasurer, Brad Rowswell, said: “Victorian businesses and the jobs they provide were being punished for the incompetence of the Andrews Government.
“As a consequence, other states sense weakness and are seizing the opportunity to lure Victoria businesses and the jobs and economic opportunities they provide, interstate.
“Instead of forcing local businesses to pay for their waste and mismanagement, the Andrews Government must lower its nation-leading taxes and explore new ways to attract and retain businesses to drive our economy forward.”
Shadow Minister for Small Business, Cindy McLeish, said: “Victoria must strive to be an attractive and welcoming place to start and grow a business.
“Under the Andrews Government, Victoria is broke and through higher taxes on jobs, property and WorkCover premiums – businesses across the state are being made to pay the price.
“Strong small businesses mean strong local communities and greater employment opportunities. Victoria can not afford to continue losing businesses whilst other states move ahead.”
