NSW opposition leader channels Eminem in budget reply, promises tax cuts and metro line

New South Wales Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane opened her budget reply speech with a powerful quote from Eminem's "Lose Yourself," framing her address around seizing opportunities for businesses and Sydneysiders. She accused the Labor government of squandering its chance to make a difference after 12 years in opposition. Sloane outlined a Liberal and National government's plan to cut payroll taxes, proposing to raise the threshold from $1.2 million to $1.5 million, which would exempt approximately 4,000 businesses entirely. For businesses with total Australian payrolls below $10 million, the tax rate would decrease from 5.45% to 4.75%. Thresholds would be indexed to inflation to prevent bracket creep. "The Liberals and Nationals in government raised the payroll tax threshold five times saving thousands of businesses from the burden of payroll tax," Sloane stated. "Since the Minns Labor government was elected, the payroll tax threshold has not been lifted once. It's been a stealth tax on jobs." Beyond tax relief, Sloane pledged to revive a Berejiklian-era policy by inking a new "city deal" with Canberra. This agreement would focus on delivering new infrastructure projects, including an extension of the metro network to southwestern Sydney, addressing the growing needs of the region. She also reiterated a promise to provide drivers with a $100 rego rebate, a measure mirroring one included in Labor's recent state budget.

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If you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment. Would you capture it? Or just let it slip?