Business NSW is an Australian not-for-profit membership organisation that advocates on behalf of Australian businesses. The organisation has been operating since 1826. It has formerly been known as the NSW Business Chamber (2006–2020), The Chamber of Manufactures of NSW (1885–2006) and the Sydney Chamber of Commerce (1826–1885).[1]
 | |
| Formerly | NSW Business Chamber |
|---|---|
| Industry | Not for profit |
| Founded | 1826 as the Sydney Chamber of Commerce 1885 as Chamber of Manufactures of NSW 1995 as Australian Business Limited 2007 as NSW Business Chamber 2020 as Business Australia |
| Headquarters | Chifley Square, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, |
Area served | New South Wales |
Key people |
|
| Products | Political advocacy |
| Subsidiaries | Business Sydney, Business Illawarra, Business Western Sydney |
| Website | www |
Advocacy
editBusiness NSW has advocated for business interests such as by participating in the public debate on NSW workers' compensation reform.[2] It has made submissions to the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review on minimum wages.[3] It was cited in reporting about business impacts from higher fuel costs linked to global supply disruptions, alongside national measures such as a temporary halving of the fuel excise.[4] Business NSW has supported efforts to reduce red tape for small business, in addition to developing a NSW Charter for Small Business.[5]
History
editBusiness NSW has undergone a number of name changes and mergers with other business organisations since its founding in 1826 when it was known as the Sydney Chamber of Commerce.[6]
The Chamber of Manufactures of New South Wales was then established with the inaugural meeting in August 1885 at Sydney Town Hall in which the rules and regulations were adopted and Archibald Forsyth was elected its first president.[7]
The Chamber got off to an initial slow start with its primary supporters focusing most of their efforts on tariff policy lobbying, especially in setting up a "Protection Union", in direct opposition to the "Free Traders" led by Sir Henry Parkes.[7]
The Chamber was finally re-constituted in June 1895 at a meeting at the Hotel Australia. The Chamber abandoned the idea of partisan political lobbying and adopted a position of a non-political organisation which has continued to the present day.[citation needed]
In 1914, the Chamber of Manufactures of NSW set up the Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Company (now MMI).[8] The insurance company arm was established primarily to indemnify employers against claims that might be made by their employees who were injured at work, and was in direct response to the new Workmen's Compensation Act 1910.[9]
The Chamber continued to expand in NSW over the following years opening offices in Newcastle, Lismore, Wollongong and Ballina while pursuing possible amalgamations with other business organisations, such as the Australian Chamber of Manufactures and Employer's Federation, most of these options were explored but not acted upon.[citation needed]
In 1995, the Chamber of Manufactures of NSW broke its tie with MMI, selling its shares of the company and changing its name to Australian Business Limited. The sale of MMI shares made Australia Business Limited one of the most well funded business organisations in Australia.[10]
In 2006 the State Chamber of Commerce (NSW) changed its name to the Sydney Business Chamber of Commerce, echoing the original concept of the chamber of Commerce that applied when it started in 1826. In December 2006, Australian Business Limited changed its name to NSW Business Chamber Limited to reflect the new entity emerging from this union. Following the transfer of all members into NSW Business Chamber Limited, the Sydney Chamber activities continued as the Sydney Business chamber, a division of the NSW Business Chamber.[citation needed]
In 2020, the NSW Business Chamber rebranded[11] its advocacy arm to Business NSW.
Leadership
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "ABOUT BUSINESS NSW". www.businessnsw.com. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ↑ Dole, Nick (14 May 2025). "Unions launch ad blitz against NSW government's proposed workers' comp changes". ABC News. Archived from the original on 15 November 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
Unions NSW is demanding the government rethink its proposal, while Business NSW supports the reforms.
- ↑ "Annual Wage Review 2024-25" (PDF). Australian Business Industrial and Business NSW. April 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 August 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via Fair Work Commission.
- ↑ Andrew, Tilli (10 April 2026). "'There is no other option': Dire warning for Aussie businesses amid fuel crisis". Nine News. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said businesses are being pushed into difficult decisions.
- ↑ Busby, Cec (20 February 2024). "The New Charter Slashing Small Business Red Tape in NSW". Business Builders. Archived from the original on 13 November 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ↑ Holcomb, Janette (1 August 2014). Early Merchant Families of Sydney: Speculation and Risk Management on the Fringes of Empire. Anthem Press. ISBN 978-1-78308-125-7.
- 1 2 Rutledge, Martha (2006) [1972]. "Forsyth, Archibald (1827–1908)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 4. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ "Our History". Allianz. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ↑ "Bulletin, then Manufacturers' Bulletin". Chamber of Manufacturers of New South Wales. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via archivescollection.anu.edu.au.
- ↑ Adamson, Graeme (22 June 1995). "Taking stock of MMI". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ "NEW NAME FOR STATE'S PEAK BUSINESS GROUP" (PDF). Business NSW. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ↑ "Business NSW APPOINTS New President" (Media release). Business NSW. 27 February 2025. Archived from the original on 25 April 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ Patten, Sally (22 August 2024). "How this CEO manages his job while raising triplets". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ Layton, Greg (8 October 2024). "Optimising role design for peak performance, managing differences in confidence between men and women, and navigating the decision to fire someone". The Inner Chief. No. 348. Chief Maker. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Executive Leadership Team". Business NSW. Retrieved 18 May 2026.