An important free business advice program has been quietly cut by the State Government.
The recent State Budget revealed the Business Connect program had been axed in its entirety, leaving the program’s providers scratching their heads.
Executive Officer of Western Sydney Business Centre (WSBC) John Todd has been delivering the program in Penrith and its surrounds since its inception.
“We’ve delivered this program in one form or another for the State Government for over 35 years,” he said.
“During that time, we’ve seen over 50,000 people which has created between 10,000-11,000 new small businesses in the Penrith area.
“We’ve had a good rapport with government, and we still have a good rapport with government. Service NSW, who controls the program, don’t want it gone but it was a decision from higher up.”
In just the last 12 months WSBC has delivered 836 face-to-face hours, 1,300 electronic delivery hours, 230 workshop hours and 2,854 webinar hours, achieving 101 per cent of their contract.
The program costs the Government $98 an hour, bringing the total cost of the program to $10 million a year to provide free specialised business advice.
“We can help a business in any space in regard to advice, but the problem is because we deal with people in start-ups, their budgets are low,” Todd explained.
“The program is most successful in bringing businesses from just an idea to where they could be but now there is nothing out there.
“So, there will be nothing to nurture businesses through or even have a free point of contact where if they are struggling with something, they can just call us and get an answer.
“We’ve got 10 advisors all specialising in different things, so we can take businesses through a step-by-step process of how to get them from here to where they need to be.”
A spokesperson for the NSW Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin, who is responsible for the program, argued the State Government will still assist small businesses despite the program’s axing.
“The Service NSW Business Bureau will continue to support small businesses by offering free personalised support, including help with starting a business, and guidance on accessing government programs and services,” the spokesperson said.
“The Minns Labor Government is looking at ways to make it easier for businesses to operate, including by pushing for reform to workers compensation to help bring down for businesses.
“The NSW Government is committed to working with the small business community, and this commitment underpins the Charter for Small Business, which we released early last year. Guided by this charter, we have already made it easier for small businesses to contract to government, and we are now looking at ways to ease pain points for businesses, such as red tape.”
Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Mark Coure, has thrown his support behind the program, saying its “quiet axing” is not good enough.
“The sudden and quiet axing of this program in the Budget is characteristic of the Minns Labor Government’s approach, zero consultation and zero care for the impact of their cuts,” he said.
“Business Connect was delivering real results, assisting tens of thousands to turn their dreams into reality. The expert advice provided by these business advisors helped entrepreneurs develop sustainable business plans and overcome challenges. Now, thanks to Labor’s cuts, it will be harder to do business in NSW.”
WSBC will continue advocating for the return of the Business Connect program.

Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.