Page 2136 - Week 10 - Thursday, 26 October 1989
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MR BERRY: In short, Mr Speaker, there was a lot for me to learn. One needs to be reminded of the circumstances of all of the players in the welfare area and one needs to be able to address those issues with some compassion which is learned out of real circumstances. I welcomed the opportunity to be there.
Payroll Tax
MR COLLAERY: Mr Speaker, my question is directed to the Chief Minister in her role as finance Minister. Chief Minister, in view of the protestations of consultation just made by your colleague Mr Whalan in relation to preschool education, could you outline to the Assembly the consultative processes you undertook in relation to the Payroll Tax (Amendment) Bill, with industry in particular? Would you not agree that there has been some breakdown in the consultative arrangements, if any, that you entered into?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Collaery for the question. Mr Speaker, could I say at the outset that the consultative nature of our budget was a unique circumstance; I think it is the first time it has ever been done. It was, in fact, a genuine attempt on the Government's part to obtain the views of the community on our proposed budget. It was a risky measure and involved us in a great many discussions, negotiations, demonstrations and so on from any number of quarters in the community.
I would like, if I may, on this particular matter to refer to the budget initial statement concerning the matter that Mr Collaery raised, which, of course, is the Payroll Tax (Amendment) Bill. In that initial statement, the exact words that were used - and I will repeat them because they are pretty specific - were:
The Payroll Tax Act 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.
Mr Speaker, that document was presented on 25 July 1989.
Mr Collaery: Why did not you circulate your detailed proposals then?
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