NSW Treasurer joins co‑operative and mutual sector leaders for landmark policy roundtable

23 March 2026

NSW Treasurer’s Productivity Roundtable

On Friday, the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) convened a landmark policy roundtable with the Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC, NSW Treasurer, bringing together sector leaders from across New South Wales for a two hour discussion on how co‑operatives and mutuals can help build a more productive, fair and resilient State economy.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer David Mehan MP also attended, following his recent remarks in the NSW Parliament on the long tradition and contemporary relevance of co‑operation. Together with the Treasurer, he reinforced the State’s interest in understanding how member‑owned businesses can contribute to NSW’s wellbeing, competition and productivity objectives.

The roundtable was delivered in partnership with the NRMA, underscoring the shared commitment of government, the legal and business community, and the co‑operative and mutual sector to work together on practical solutions.

Why this roundtable matters now

The discussion took place against a backdrop of heightened global uncertainty, including ongoing supply chain disruptions, energy and fuel security challenges and wider geopolitical instability and conflict. In this context, participants explored how co‑operatives and mutuals provide:

• Supply chain security and continuity.
• Reinvestment in members and communities instead of short‑term profiteering.
• Proven resilience through both crises and more stable periods.

Sector leaders emphasised that co‑operatives and mutuals act as core economic and social infrastructure in times of crisis, helping communities to withstand shocks and recover more quickly while maintaining essential services.

A sector of scale and impact in NSW

New South Wales is home to more than 740 co‑operatives and mutuals, the largest number of any Australian jurisdiction, and is the lead state in administering Co‑operatives National Law. Operating across all parts of the economy, NSW co‑operatives and mutuals have a combined turnover of $18.8 billion, directly employ over 29,000 workers and help enable the operations of 167,000 small and medium enterprises, and sole trading businesses. The people of NSW hold more than 8.9 million memberships in co‑operative and mutual enterprises.

The sector ranges from iconic member‑owned brands such as HCF, the NRMA and Norco, to small business champions like ILG and Rapid Group Co‑op, and community‑driven innovators including Goulburn Community Energy Co‑operative and Supporting Independent Living Co‑operative. From renewable energy to social care, affordable housing to agriculture, co‑operatives and mutuals are ready to play a greater role in addressing contemporary economic and social challenges across the State.

The Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC, NSW Treasurer, addressing the roundtable.

A Treasurer‑hosted discussion on policy options and collaboration

In opening remarks, NRMA Group CEO Carolyn Darke spoke about the shared purpose that defines co‑operative and mutual enterprises and welcomed the Treasurer to the discussion. The Treasurer acknowledged the depth of the NSW co‑operative economy and the contribution member‑owned businesses make to essential services, cost‑of‑living relief, regional development and community capability.

Over the course of two hours, participants provided short case studies and insights from across the economy, including:

• Domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
• Social and community care, aged care and health.
• Affordable and co‑operative housing.
• Community‑owned and renewable energy.
• Mutual banking, insurance and risk protection.
• Support for small businesses and regional industries.

Rather than focusing on immediate announcements, the roundtable was framed as an exploratory, Treasurer‑hosted policy discussion on future collaboration and reform. It signalled that the NSW Government is now actively consulting the sector and that the BCCM is positioned as a partner in shaping future policy responses.

Policy directions: Improving the environment for co‑operatives and mutuals

The BCCM’s 2026–27 NSW Pre‑Budget Submission outlines practical ways the NSW Government could improve the business environment for co‑operatives and mutuals and identify opportunities for partnership where the co‑operative model aligns with the State’s wellbeing and industry development objectives.

Key areas of discussion included:

• Refreshing NSW co‑operatives legislation: Modernising and streamlining regulatory settings to reduce red tape for new and existing co‑operatives, including updating model rules and applying recent business law reforms to co‑operatives.
• Improving accessibility to the State’s Co‑operative Loan Scheme: Restoring and refining eligibility so more co‑operatives can invest in community‑led projects that create jobs, taxable income and export earnings.
• Ensuring fair access to government‑funded business support programs: Making sure co‑operatives and mutuals can access grants, advisory services and capability programs on an equal footing with other business structures.
• Identifying partnership opportunities in priority sectors: Expanding the role of co‑operatives and mutuals in areas aligned with the NSW Performance and Wellbeing Framework, including social care, renewable energy and the circular economy, regional manufacturing and affordable housing.

These measures were presented as practical, low‑cost ways to embed co‑operative and mutual enterprises into the delivery of the State’s wellbeing and economic strategies, multiplying the impact of public investment and strengthening community resilience.

Samantha Shields, Partner Hamilton Locke, The Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC, NSW Treasurer, Carolyn Darke, CEO NRMA Group and Melina Morrison, CEO BCCM.

Working together for a stronger NSW

The BCCM extends its thanks to Treasurer Mookhey for hosting and engaging in this important discussion, to Parliamentary Secretary to the NSW Treasurer, David Mehan for his ongoing support of the sector, to the NRMA for their partnership, and to Hamilton Locke for generously hosting the event.

This roundtable reaffirmed the vital role co‑operatives and mutuals play in building a productive, fair and resilient NSW. The BCCM looks forward to continuing to work with government, business and community partners to grow the impact of member‑owned enterprise across the State.

If you would like to learn more about the BCCM’s policy and advocacy initiatives or participate in future NSW forums, please contact us.

View the full image gallery from the roundtable.