❓ Mr. Grylls asks the Treasurer about clarifying the state's position on stamp duty regarding BHP Billiton's takeover bid for Rio Tinto. The Treasurer declines to comment on specific taxpayer circumstances, citing legal and confidentiality obligations, and affirms the independence of the Office of State Revenue.
AnsweredQoN 248Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BHP TAKEOVER BID OF RIO TINTO — STAMP DUTY 248. Mr B.J. GRYLLS to the Treasurer: Given that many Western Australians are watching with interest BHP Billiton’s takeover bid for Rio Tinto, a deal currently pitched at more than $180 million, I ask — (1) Will the Treasurer confirm that he has sought to clarify the state’s position on stamp duty that might be applicable to this deal; and, if not, why not? (2) Has the Treasurer asked the appropriate agency to examine the deal to ascertain the amount of stamp duty that might be applicable; and, if not, why not? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
BHP TAKEOVER BID OF RIO TINTO — STAMP DUTY
Given that many Western Australians are watching with interest BHP Billiton’s takeover bid for Rio Tinto, a deal currently pitched at more than $180 million, I ask — (1) Will the Treasurer confirm that he has sought to clarify the state’s position on stamp duty that might be applicable to this deal; and, if not, why not? (2) Has the Treasurer asked the appropriate agency to examine the deal to ascertain the amount of stamp duty that might be applicable; and, if not, why not? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
(1) Will the Treasurer confirm that he has sought to clarify the state’s position on stamp duty that might be applicable to this deal; and, if not, why not? (2) Has the Treasurer asked the appropriate agency to examine the deal to ascertain the amount of stamp duty that might be applicable; and, if not, why not? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
(2) Has the Treasurer asked the appropriate agency to examine the deal to ascertain the amount of stamp duty that might be applicable; and, if not, why not? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
(1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
BHP TAKEOVER BID OF RIO TINTO — STAMP DUTY
Given that many Western Australians are watching with interest BHP Billiton’s takeover bid for Rio Tinto, a deal currently pitched at more than $180 million, I ask — (1) Will the Treasurer confirm that he has sought to clarify the state’s position on stamp duty that might be applicable to this deal; and, if not, why not? (2) Has the Treasurer asked the appropriate agency to examine the deal to ascertain the amount of stamp duty that might be applicable; and, if not, why not? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
(1) Will the Treasurer confirm that he has sought to clarify the state’s position on stamp duty that might be applicable to this deal; and, if not, why not? (2) Has the Treasurer asked the appropriate agency to examine the deal to ascertain the amount of stamp duty that might be applicable; and, if not, why not? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
(2) Has the Treasurer asked the appropriate agency to examine the deal to ascertain the amount of stamp duty that might be applicable; and, if not, why not? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
(1)-(2) The first point I make is that I do not investigate the individual circumstances of particular taxpayers. It would be contrary to the law of this state for me to inquire into BHP Billiton’s tax circumstances—or indeed Rio Tinto’s tax circumstances—without the written consent of those taxpayers. I make it very clear that I do not break the law. I respect the independence of the Commissioner of State Revenue, and I respect the confidentiality of particular taxpayers’ circumstances. Regarding those commercial matters that the member referred to: when and if the takeover bid happens, if it is at all subject to state tax law, the Office of State Revenue and the Commissioner of State Revenue will act independently in making any assessment.
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