Budget boost for Mackay businesses to help stimulate jobs

Mackay’s Kynaston Engineering has already been growing its workforce thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s popular Back to Work program and now it is looking forward to the new payroll tax package to drive new opportunities.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert visited the Paget business today and met with owners Robbie and Steve Young.

"What a great success story this is," the Premier said.

"Robbie and Steve have grown this business to 23 staff and we've been able to support them in this endeavour through our Back to Work program.

"Back to Work has created jobs for more than 2020 people in the Mackay and Whitsunday region across more than 900 employers."

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said Kynaston Engineering was employing locals and driving up the region's skill set.

“It’s great to see local businesses like Kynaston have been able to create job opportunities through the Palaszczuk Government's Back to Work program for locals.

"To also hear they will be putting on more apprentices because of our Budget initiatives is just fantastic.”

Kynaston Engineering owner Robbie Young said the business had been growing since 2013 and took advantage of the Back to Work Youth Boost to employ four young people.

“I employed my first apprentice through the Back to Work program in 2017. This year I have put on another three young people including two more apprentices,” he said.

The Premier said, regional businesses like Kynaston Engineering would also benefit from the $885 million payroll tax package.

“Small and medium-sized businesses make up more than 99 per cent of all businesses in Queensland,” the Premier said.

“This package will support local businesses like Kynaston Engineering, boost economic growth and create more job opportunities over the next four years.”

The Premier said from July 1, the exemption threshold would be increased from $1.1 million to $1.3 million which means 1,500 businesses will no longer pay any payroll tax and can use this money to employ their next employee and grow their business.

“This means a business in Queensland can employ twice as many people – and operate at twice the size of a business in Victoria – before paying a single dollar in payroll tax,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“As well, regional businesses who employ 85 per cent or more local workers will receive a payroll tax discount of 1 per cent off the set rate.

“In addition, a 50 per cent rebate will be applied to eligible apprentice or trainee’s wages for a further two years, taking it to 30 June 2021.”

The Premier said her government’s combined payroll tax threshold increase and the regional discount would mean an estimated 13,000 businesses would be better off.

“I encourage all the owners and entrepreneurs in Mackay and across the state to take advantage of this initiative and look for opportunities to grow their businesses,” she said.

In addition to the payroll tax package, in this year’s State Budget the Palaszczuk Government has committed a further $4 million to the successful small business grants programs, will develop an online Queensland Business Launch Pad that will provide a one-stop-shop for a range of information and deliver a tool to make employing an apprentice or trainee easier for small business.

This is on top of the recently released Queensland Small Business Procurement Commitment, which is working to make it easier for small businesses to supply to the Government and will reduce payment times.

Last month the Palaszczuk Government launched Workforce Planning Connect, a practical kit to help small businesses plan what skills they will need in the future to guide their recruitment and staff training plans which will be a useful tool for businesses planning for growth thanks to these payroll tax changes and other support.

For further information about the payroll tax package visit www.budget.qld.gov.au/

Employers are encouraged to visit www.qld.gov.au/backtowork or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for more information about Back to Work, to apply for an employer support payment or connect with their local Back to Work team.

ENDS

Media contact:

Zoe Russell – 0439 982 347