Page 2156 - Week 10 - Thursday, 26 October 1989
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such as insurance agents, owner-drivers and door-to-door salesmen as in New South Wales cannot be justified since different arrangements may apply with the group. This Bill will make employment agents liable for payroll tax for certain on-hired employees.
In relation to consultation, I think it is most important that I refer back to some of the comments of the Chief Minister in question time. She made it very clear that the initial budget statement in July 1989 became a public document immediately. Employing organisations in the Territory had the opportunity, and availed themselves of it, to involve themselves in that process. They were fully aware from day one of the impact of the Government's decision.
It is quite clear from page 70 of the initial statement that the payroll tax, and I will quote from that:
... will also be amended to close off existing avenues of avoidance and to clarify employers' obligations. Employers will be required from November 1989 to declare for payroll tax purposes a wider range of payments, including termination payments and non-cash benefits. As well, schemes which involve payments for services provided by an employee made to or by third parties such as employment agencies will be covered. Further, schemes involving family partnerships, companies and trusts which are interposed to blur employer/employee relationships will be caught under proposed changes to the Payroll Tax Act.
I do not think much can be clearer than that. It is pretty pointed. If I were an employer who was likely to be affected by those proposals and if I were concerned about it, I certainly would have made my position clear.
One of the things that has happened in this debate is that the Liberal Party members have fallen down on their responsibility to look after what is often felt to be their traditional constituency, the business sector. I think they have made it very clear that they have fallen down on their job. The first instance of that was that Mr Kaine, although involved in the process at an early stage, walked away from the consultative process and let down his constituency.
For the Liberals to continue to moan about the lack of consultation is merely an attempt to hold this over and prevent the Government from collecting appropriate taxes to apply to relevant services for the people of Canberra.
MR STEFANIAK: I move:
That the debate be adjourned and the resumption of the debate be made an order of the day for 14 November 1989.
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