New President for NSW Business Chamber

Tony Dormer has been elected unopposed as the new President of the NSW Business Chamber.

Mr Dormer replaces Terry Wetherall, who will remain on the Board of Directors as the Immediate Past President, and will be supported by Russell Balding AO, who was elected as Vice President.

Tony Dormer is the Managing Director and founder of Kreston Dormers, a successful multi-discipline business advisory firm established over 30 years ago. His specialist skills include taxation services, mergers and acquisitions, as well as business development issues for small and medium sized entrepreneurs.

Since 2007, Mr Dormer has been an active Board Member and Councillor with the NSW Business Chamber and the Chairman of the Audit and Compliance Committee, as well as the Chair of the Business Environment and Economics Policy Committee

He is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Chartered Tax Adviser and Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia, and was recently appointed to the Board of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

Mr Dormer also has a personal interest to end the suffering of Parkinson’s Disease, and serves on the board of the not for profit foundation board, Shake It Up.

“To be elected President is a great honour, one about which I am humbled,” Mr Dormer said.

“To lead this great organisation, the largest business organisation in the State which contributes one third of the national economy is a great responsibility.

“For the first time in its almost 190 year history, the Chamber recently passed the 15,000 member milestone, which shows that members see the great work being done on their behalf, and value being part of this influential organisation.

“I saw during the Chamber’s ‘Small Business – Too Big To Ignore’ federal election campaign the great enthusiasm that the members of the NSW Business Chamber have, and their willingness to have their say in how their country, state or community can be improved.

“I see it as our responsibility to continue to represent these hard working Australians – those that put their assets on the line each day to open their doors, employ their fellow Australians and make a positive contribution to our nation.”

Mr Dormer believes there are a number of key priorities for his term.

“There will be an election in NSW in just over a year, and just like we did for the Federal Election, we need to ensure the voice of business is well heard by our political leaders.

“The Chamber will shortly be releasing its priorities for the final year of this government’s term and then the policies we want to see adopted by whichever parties form government in March 2015.

“One of the great challenges for NSW is to source funding for the infrastructure needed to service our growing State. If that means tough decisions need to be made regarding potential leasing of assets then let’s have that debate in an open, constructive way.

“On a national level, I’d like to see a proper debate about workplace relations to make it easier, and not harder, for business operators to maintain and then create new jobs. In particular, I would like to see more creative debate for ways to encourage the employment of young Australians.

“The most recent Business Conditions Survey conducted by the NSW Business Chamber showed optimism is returning to business owners across the State. We all have to work hard to ensure that this confidence is maintained and results in positive outcomes.

“Of course one of the other priorities in the short term is preparing our bid for Sydney to host the prestigious ICC World Chambers Federation International Congress in 2017, a gathering of more than 1000 business leaders from across the globe.

“Our bid will be presented in Tokyo later this year with a decision known prior to Christmas.”