NSW State Budget lacks excitement

This article appeared in the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday 13 June 2012.
 
The Hunter's thriving small business sector was one of the hardest hit in a tough state budget delivered by treasurer Mike Baird in Sydney yesterday. 
 
Mr Baird said his second budget made the right decisions for the state's future in tough economic times but that was little comfort for the region's small businesses.
 
Part of the plan outlined was the appointment of small business commissioner Yasmin King, who took up that position last year. 
 
Funding was restricted to $10 million over the next four years.
 
Alison Hough, who runs IT consultant Myrtec with her husband Tristan, attended a round-table discussion with Ms King earlier this year and said her appointment had helped draw attention to the needs of small businesses.
 
Ms Hough said on the whole the budget did not deliver much for small businesses to get excited about.
 
- Neil Goffett