The savings benefit thousands of businesses across NSW and will mean total savings of around $880 million by the time the full effect of the changes come in to effect in 2021-22. Not only are tens of thousands of businesses paying less payroll tax, around 3,000 businesses no longer have any payroll tax liabilities following the changes, this means they also avoid the cost associated with bookkeeping.

This is your big chance to pick your favourite projects and help them become a reality. It's great to see the NSW Government going out to the people with the 2019 My Community Project public vote opening on Monday, July 15. T

here's 26 projects from right across the Bathurst Electorate including Kandos, Neville, Bathurst, Sofala, Perthville, Wattle Flat, Lithgow, Eglinton, Blayney, Rylstone and Oberon in the running and now the public voting process has begun. It's easy. Just go to mycommunityproject.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88. Voting closes on August 15.

Local businesses are being encouraged to support disability inclusion and become a Companion Card affiliate. People with disability should have every opportunity to participate in our community. I urge all recreational businesses across our region to sign up to become an affiliate today and show their support to people with disability and their carers.

Across NSW there are more than 30,000 Companion Card holders and we want businesses to take advantage of a significant market. The program has been helping people with lifelong disability participate in their community for more than 10 years, by providing free entry to events and activities for family members, friends, volunteers or paid carers. Companion Card affiliates include entertainment venues, health and fitness facilities, transport organisations and more. For information about the Companion Card Program or to sign up, visit www.companioncard.nsw.gov.au.