Hockey can't afford more for business

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.