Page 3241 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 22 August 2012
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I have not asked that the Assembly start determining payroll tax for individual entities. That is not what I have asked. That would be inappropriate, but it is entirely appropriate for this place to say, “If there’s a problem out there, how about we come up with a solution where we can have a conversation before we have to resort to new legislation, to more red tape, to more regulation?” That is all the motion is proposing.
Mr Barr: And the commissioner is doing it.
MR SMYTH: The commissioner is doing it, apparently. If the commissioner is doing it then surely the passing of this motion will not affect that.
Mr Barr: Yes, it would.
MR SMYTH: The minister says the commissioner is doing it. If the minister says the commissioner is doing it—
Mr Barr: Because you want to put a four-month moratorium on.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Members, we are not having a conversation across the chamber.
MR SMYTH: Well, I am sorry; the business community is not feeling that. Ms Hunter said: “We talked to the commissioner and said, ‘Are there any problems?’ and the commissioner said, ‘No, there aren’t any problems’.” Of course they are not going to say there are any problems. They are applying it as they see it. I hope Ms Hunter has gone back and actually read the Payroll Tax Amendment Bill 2007 tabling speech by Mr Stanhope. I am sure she has not. What was promised is not being delivered. If you go to that speech on 6 December 2007, it says:
The bill will also introduce new grouping provisions. The ACT has agreed to adopt a model consistent with Victoria and New South Wales in relation to the grouping of businesses for payroll tax purposes.
I am told that we are now inconsistent with Victoria and New South Wales and that because of the way that things have been announced and then withdrawn and re-determined there are serious consequences that the non-alignment is bringing about. Indeed, some businesses have told me that it would be very easy, given the portability of their businesses, to simply pack up in the ACT and go across to Queanbeyan. They would be happy to be under the New South Wales payroll tax regime because it is certain and it is clear—
Mr Barr: It is exactly the same as the ACT’s.
MR SMYTH: Mr Barr says it is exactly the same as the ACT.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Barr, no conversation across the chamber, please.
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