NSW opposition proposes cap on New England REZ and payroll‑tax reforms

In a budget‑reply speech, New South Wales opposition leader Kellie Sloane announced a plan to limit the New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), arguing that the project is over budget, behind schedule and would cross prime agricultural land. The opposition will cap the zone at its current level and focus on upgrades to existing infrastructure, while promoting new city renewable energy zones in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong and an expanded hub in far‑western NSW.

The same announcement included a comprehensive payroll‑tax reform package. The proposal raises the tax‑free threshold from $1.2 million to $1.5 million, cuts the rate for businesses with payrolls under $10 million from 5.45 % to 4.75 %, and indexes thresholds to inflation. The changes are expected to exempt roughly 4,000 businesses from the tax and give the lowest rate to about 25,000 employers, delivering annual savings of up to $75,850 per business and aiming to stimulate job creation and economic growth in NSW.