BUSINESS ILLAWARRA URGES NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS TO DELIVER FOR THE SOUTH COAST AND HIGHLANDS SMALL BUSINESS 

 

5 May 2025 

 

 
Business Illawarra congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his re-election and calls on the returned government to deliver on key promises made to the small and medium business sector.  

 

Special congratulations are also extended to Fiona Phillips MP, Alison Byrnes MP, and Carol Berry on their election victories. This marks a historic milestone—the first time three women have simultaneously represented the South Coast and Highlands in Federal Parliament. 

 

As the leading voice for business across the South Coast and Southern Highlands, Business Illawarra welcomes the opportunity to work closely with the Albanese Government and our local representatives to build a stronger, more inclusive economy—one that values regional business, strengthens local industry, and drives long-term investment in jobs and infrastructure. 

 

Director of Business Illawarra, Coralie McCarthy, said: “Our local businesses are hopeful for real, tangible and practical reforms in this term of government. Australia needs a strong growth agenda to keep our communities prosperous.” 

 

Key commitments that matter to business include: 

  • Extending the instant asset write-off 

  • Cutting red tape 

  • Ensuring labour market flexibility 

  • Delivering critical infrastructure 

 

“Energy remains one of the biggest cost pressures for local business,” Ms McCarthy said. 
“We need reliable, affordable energy—now and into the future—as industry transitions and grows.” 

 
“Under the Future Made in Australia policy, businesses must have access to low-cost energy, a flexible industrial relations system, and low taxes to stay competitive.” 

 

“The South Coast and Highlands are a powerhouse of the NSW and national economy. We are makers, innovators, and experience creators. There’s so much room to grow—if government settings provide confidence and stability.” 

 

While cost of living pressures dominates the national conversation, Ms McCarthy stressed that the cost of doing business is also at crisis levels. 

 

“Insurance, energy, wages and taxes are top of mind for small business owners, with skills shortages and red tape compounding the challenge.” 

 

 

Business Illawarra will continue to advocate for local businesses.  

 

“Our region is built on resilience and grit,” Ms McCarthy said. 

 
“We’ll continue to advocate for policies and partnerships that prioritise the nation’s jobs engine—our hard-working small businesses and the communities they support.” 

 

Business Illawarra is focused on advocating for: 

  • One strong regional identity and business voice across the South Coast and Highlands 

  • Reforms to address housing supply and workforce access in regional NSW 

  • Solutions to skills and labour shortages 

  • Reform of state government taxes and charges on insurance, especially the Emergency Services Levy 

  • Regulatory and safety reform, including affordable and reliable energy 

  • Payroll tax changes, fairer GST distribution for NSW, and a simplified tax system to support innovation 

  • Local transport infrastructure upgrades 

  • Ongoing support for the Visitor Economy.  

 

 

Media Contact – Coralie McCarthy 0417 431 564 

 

 

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About Business Illawarra 

Business Illawarra is the region’s peak business organisation; a not-for-profit advocacy group dedicated to the economic development of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands.