❓ Mr Marmion questions the Premier on reducing payroll tax for small businesses to stimulate WA's economy, referencing Michael Chaney's support. The Premier acknowledges it's desirable but cites the need to balance it against managing state debt inherited from the previous government.
AnsweredQoN 438Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PAYROLL TAX
438. Mr W.R. MARMION to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Does the Premier agree with Michael Chaney's comment that, and I quote,
''Reducing payroll tax for small businesses will help create jobs in WA
and support the State's economic recovery''; and, if yes, what
is he doing about reducing payroll tax?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! The
Premier is on his feet.
438. Mr W.R. MARMION to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Does the Premier agree with Michael Chaney's comment that, and I quote,
''Reducing payroll tax for small businesses will help create jobs in WA
and support the State's economic recovery''; and, if yes, what
is he doing about reducing payroll tax?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! The
Premier is on his feet.
AnswerView source ↗
As I said publicly yesterday,
obviously it is desirable to try to make sure that we remove the smaller
businesses from the payroll tax net; it is a good thing to do.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I will not
explain what that means to the member.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Darling Range, I call you to order for the third time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I do not
think I should have to explain basic English in this house.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Darling Range, you are on three calls. No more warnings.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Get a dictionary
if you do not understand what the word ''desirable'' means.
I think it is desirable to lift the
payroll tax burden, if we can. As I said yesterday and as the Treasurer has
said, we obviously have to balance many things. One of those things is the massive
level of Liberal–National debt we were left. Over the course of our
government we have ensured that expenditure growth averages about 1.3 per cent.
Over the course of the last government, expenditure growth averaged 6.5 per
cent. Therefore, we have done what we can to bring in recurrent expenditure. I think
if the member were to go and ask Michael Chaney, who is a respected Western Australian,
he would say that that is a good thing. Obviously, we have to balance a range
of things in what we do. We are getting the finances under control, creating
jobs and making sure we are responsible in what we do. We will consider payroll
tax in the future.
obviously it is desirable to try to make sure that we remove the smaller
businesses from the payroll tax net; it is a good thing to do.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I will not
explain what that means to the member.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Darling Range, I call you to order for the third time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I do not
think I should have to explain basic English in this house.
Mrs A.K. Hayden interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Darling Range, you are on three calls. No more warnings.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Get a dictionary
if you do not understand what the word ''desirable'' means.
I think it is desirable to lift the
payroll tax burden, if we can. As I said yesterday and as the Treasurer has
said, we obviously have to balance many things. One of those things is the massive
level of Liberal–National debt we were left. Over the course of our
government we have ensured that expenditure growth averages about 1.3 per cent.
Over the course of the last government, expenditure growth averaged 6.5 per
cent. Therefore, we have done what we can to bring in recurrent expenditure. I think
if the member were to go and ask Michael Chaney, who is a respected Western Australian,
he would say that that is a good thing. Obviously, we have to balance a range
of things in what we do. We are getting the finances under control, creating
jobs and making sure we are responsible in what we do. We will consider payroll
tax in the future.
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