NSW’s peak business organisation, NSW Business Chamber, has welcomed the appointment of Phil Gaetjens as the new Treasury Secretary for NSW.
Mr Gaetjens has a long history as a senior Federal Government official appointed by both Liberal and Labor Governments. Most recently, Mr Gaetjens was the Secretary of the Review into the GST Distribution.
“We welcome the appointment of Mr Gaetjens and hope it marks the start of a revitalised Treasury in NSW,” said Stephen Cartwright, CEO of NSW Business Chamber.
“Mr Gaetjens has significant experience in the Federal Government and is respected for reflecting the best traditions of an independent, fearless and non partisan public service, having served Treasurers from both sides of politics.
“The State needs a strong Treasury that is policy focused and that seeks to drive innovation, renewal and reform throughout Government.
“Productivity across Australia has fallen in recent years and we need a focus across the Government on improving productivity. Treasury needs to be preparing for real electricity privatisation in NSW, not poisoned by the compromises and handouts of the past.
“NSW also needs to address the worst areas of red tape that are emerging across local government and we need to see substantive contestability across the NSW Government.
“A new Government in NSW, a state Budget in September, a Review into the GST Distribution and a major Federal Government Tax Forum in October, will mean the new Secretary will need to hit the ground running. It will also mean he will have plenty of opportunity to develop and implement meaningful tax reform in NSW.”