It is Sydney's silent shame that we tax our productive backbone without any representation.

The CBD that produces eight per cent of Australia's GDP, 25 per cent of the State's GDP and employs about 385,000 people, does not get a voice.

"Taxation without representation is tyranny" was the catchcry during the American Revolution _ yet in Sydney _ where 77 per cent of rate revenues come from business, they are effectively denied a vote.

We need a permanent roll where eligible non-residential voters, the businesses that make up our great city, are automatically enrolled.