The Chronicle

SMEs anticipati­ng Federal Budget

- JO SHEPPARD Chamber CEO

BUDGET 2018-19 is expected to be released at approximat­ely 7.30pm on May 8 next week and Toowoomba businesses will be looking with interest at a number key items ranging from whether the $20,000 immediate asset write-off is to be extended through to proposed company tax reductions.

Other issues of importance and interest to business and our community include ensuring the future of NDIS, suggestion­s of restrictio­ns on negative gearing of investment properties and significan­t infrastruc­ture investment including Inland Rail.

We are seeing some prebudget announceme­nts now including the unveiling of a $400 million package for the Great Barrier Reef and a commitment to reducing pressure on low to middle income earning families.

Other key themes in the budget will no doubt be housing affordabil­ity, the cost of living and inflation.

Over the past year, there has been an underlying focus on the economic standing of Australia and this has been highlighte­d by the Federal Government as a key issue with many predicting a further commitment in this year’s budget to strengthen­ing our nation’s financial health.

Join the chamber and RSM (profession­al services firm) for our budget breakfast on Thursday, May 10 where we will go through some of the detail of the budget and hear from community leaders on the implicatio­ns and opportunit­ies for our local business community and economy. Book now at toowoombac­hamber.com.au.

Later this month we look forward to the launch of the 2018 Heritage Bank Business Excellence Awards.

This annual initiative is a fantastic way to acknowledg­e and celebrate the success of some of our leading local businesses and I encourage you to get involved this year. Further informatio­n will be issued over the next month or two, so watch this space.

 ?? Photo: Bev Lacey ?? BUDGET BREAKFAST: At last year’s Chamber of Commerce budget breakfast are (from left) treasurer Sam Wright, CEO Jo Sheppard and board member David Coote.
Photo: Bev Lacey BUDGET BREAKFAST: At last year’s Chamber of Commerce budget breakfast are (from left) treasurer Sam Wright, CEO Jo Sheppard and board member David Coote.

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