G'day everyone,
It's been an incredibly busy few weeks of politics, events and advocacy during April into early May for the BWS team, here's some highlights of what we've been up to.
Regards,
David Borger
Federal Election Wrap-up
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s election victory has secured Labor more than 90 seats in the House of Representatives, significantly diminishing the presence of the Liberals and the Greens.
In Western Sydney, the strongest swings to Labor were in Parramatta, Greenway, and Reid, with more modest gains in outer suburban electorates. Amid global uncertainty, the Government now holds a strengthened mandate and faces renewed expectations to deliver.
From an advocacy standpoint, Business Western Sydney welcomes the Commonwealth’s $1 billion commitment to South West Sydney rail upgrades, Fifteenth Avenue and North West road improvements, and new Urgent Care Clinics.
During the campaign, Executive Director David Borger consistently highlighted the need for sustained investment to support the region’s rapid growth and diverse population. With infrastructure, housing, and employment central to national debate, Western Sydney’s electoral importance has never been clearer.
Business Western Sydney has already begun engaging with newly elected MPs and will continue to advocate for detailed plans and timelines for Metro projects, as well as long-overdue priorities such as the Campbelltown Justice Precinct and the Riverside Theatres redevelopment.
While noting the loss of Western Sydney MP Ed Husic from the frontbench, we welcome Michelle Rowland’s appointment as Attorney-General, Andrew Charlton’s new role as Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, and Susan Templeman’s position as Special Envoy for the Arts. Alongside established ministers Chris Bowen, Tony Burke and Jason Clare Western Sydney remains well represented in the Albanese Government.
Mentally Healthy Workplaces
On April 8, Business Western Sydney hosted a luncheon featuring Minister Rose Jackson, NSW Minister for Mental Health, to discuss the critical importance of mental health and well-being in the workplace. The event brought together employers from across the region to explore practical strategies, from reducing stigma to promoting early intervention.
Minister Jackson emphasised that building supportive environments isn't just good policy – it's good business, helping unlock productivity and improving staff well-being.
Joined by leaders Lisa Qu, Anna Brooks and Darren Black, one message was clear: be proactive. Simple steps make a difference: even just asking your team, “What’s one thing we could do better to support each other?”
A big thanks to our partners Lifeline Australia for helping bring this vital conversation to life.
annual Mayors Reception
Business Western Sydney, in partnership with City of Parramatta, was proud to host a special reception with NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig, himself a former Mayor of Botany Bay. The event was attended by local mayors and senior civic leaders from across the West. The Minister reaffirmed his support for empowering local councils, particularly as they manage unprecedented growth and development pressures.
Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter welcomed those in attendance and presented his vision for Parramatta's future. Topics of discussion also included infrastructure delivery, local housing challenges, and streamlining planning to keep up with the region's rapid transformation. The event highlighted the value of sustained dialogue between local and state leaders. Big thanks to Ibby Moubadder and his team at Henrietta for hosting at his newly opened restaurant in Parramatta Square.
Matters of the Heart: Pioneering Research
You're invited to an exclusive dinner and conversation hosted by the Heart Research Institute (HRI) exploring the urgent challenge of cardiovascular health. Join Dr Carmine Gentile as he delves into the latest research. Link to RSVP
our Industrial Land crisis
The NSW economy is at risk if we cannot secure more serviced industrial land across the Sydney basin, and fast. That was the clear message from a major policy roundtable jointly hosted by Business Western Sydney and Business Sydney, where planning experts, developers and logistics leaders tackled the looming shortage of employment lands.
With high demand and low supply driving up costs and limiting expansion, participants agreed on the urgent need for policy reform, land unlocking and investment in enabling infrastructure to sustain jobs and competitiveness.
The group is now working on a unified policy agenda to take to the NSW Government.
A big thanks for everyone who attended. Especially our presenters and panellists, Marika Calfas from NSW Ports, Andrew Quade from Mirvac, Jennifer Cooper from Urbis, Michael Cook from Investa Property Group and David White from Confluence Planning and Project Management.
David Borger (SWSA), Tanya Whitehouse (Macarthur women's domestic violence court advocate), Darcy Lound (Mayor of Campbelltown)
Jobs and Justice for the South West
Business Western Sydney is proud to support the growing campaign for a South West Sydney Justice Precinct based in Campbelltown. With the region's population surging and residents currently forced to travel long distances for basic legal services, the case for a purpose-built legal complex is overwhelming.
Supported by the South West Sydney Alliance and the Law Society of NSW, this proposal would deliver better access to justice and support local jobs, while easing pressure on the broader court system.
David Borger, Chair of the South West Sydney Alliance, stated, "A Justice Precinct in Campbelltown, anchored by a Federal Circuit and Family Court, would give local families the access to legal services they've gone without for too long."
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Business Insolvency on the Rise in Western Sydney
Concerning new data from CreditorWatch shows that business insolvencies are climbing across Western Sydney, especially among small to medium-sized enterprises. Rising interest rates, cost-of-living pressures, and ongoing labor shortages are combining to strain even well-established operators. With a higher proportion of small businesses and construction companies than any other part of the city, Western Sydney bears the brunt of economic shocks.
A big thanks to Regional Advisory Council members Shefali Pall, President of Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce and Anthony Mazza, President of Parramatta Chamber of Commerce for providing comment to the media on the conditions facing businesses, particular in areas such as retail and hospitality.
Arup Redesign Liverpool
A new report commissioned by Business Western Sydney through the Liverpool Innovation Precinct calls for better public spaces, dining and recreation to help transform Liverpool into Sydney’s next major CBD. Featured in the Daily Telegraph's recent Future West campaign, the Arup Group report outlines practical, high-impact ideas from improved maintenance and lighting to regular markets and support for late-night dining.
The aim is to make Liverpool more vibrant and family-friendly, especially after dark. The report will support Liverpool City Council’s applications for Commonwealth grants, including funding to upgrade Elizabeth Street.
Sydney’s Parking Problem
A new report from NRMA and Business Sydney, supported by Business Western Sydney, has revealed that Sydney is now the most expensive city in Australia for daily car parking—and one of the least accessible. The analysis showed a significant drop in available parking spaces per employee over the past decade, adding cost and frustration to the daily commute.
Getting parking right is critical to reactivate the economies across Western Sydney, particularly post-COVID. Business Western Sydney is calling for an integrated “Park ‘n Pay” app for the whole city and a Parliamentary Inquiry into parking in Western Sydney.
NRMA Report
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Powerhouse Parramatta East Building Tops Out
A major construction milestone has been reached at Powerhouse Parramatta, with the eastern building now officially topped out. This signals strong progress for one of Australia's most important cultural infrastructure projects, which will open in 2026 as a world-class museum and creative precinct.
Powerhouse Parramatta will serve as a magnet for tourism, education, and innovation, offering the people of Sydney a bold new home for culture and ideas. David Borger, President of the Board of Trustees at Powerhouse, continues to highlight the project's significance in creating jobs and cultural opportunities for the region.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Business Western Sydney hosts over 40 member events per year, hosting Federal and State Ministers, senior public servants and business and industry leaders. These events include boardrooms, roundtables, conferences, breakfast & dinner events.