Hockey can't afford more for business

Treasurer Joe Hockey says the budget can't afford to do more for business than the $5.5 billion it spent on its small business package.

Treasurer Joe Hockey says the budget can't afford to do any more for small business. (AAP)

Treasurer Joe Hockey would love to do more for business than the $5.5 billion package for small firms in his second budget but he can't afford it.

Small business will get a 1.5 per cent cut in the company tax rate, a five per cent discount for small unincorporated businesses and a $20,000 instant assets write-off but there's nothing for big corporations that will still pay a 30 per cent tax rate.

"If you guys go out and spend money and employ more people and I'll get a bit more money and we can go again," he told a NSW Business Chamber post-budget lunch in Sydney on Monday.