❓ Opposition questions the Premier regarding the government's alleged reversal on extending payroll tax to employee-like contractors, inquiring about the validity of existing assessments and potential refunds. The Premier deflects, stating budget details will be announced by the Treasurer.
AnsweredQoN 1001Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to reports today of yet another backflip by the Government, this time on the Government’s plans to extend the payroll tax base to employee-like contractors. (1) Given that back payroll tax assessments of around $20 million have already been issued this financial year, which relate to employee-like contractors - arguably the greyest area of employment law - will the Government’s backflip result in these assessments being rendered null and void? (2) If so, where payment has been made, will the Office of State Revenue issue a full refund to out-of-pocket Western Australian businesses? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
(1) Given that back payroll tax assessments of around $20 million have already been issued this financial year, which relate to employee-like contractors - arguably the greyest area of employment law - will the Government’s backflip result in these assessments being rendered null and void? (2) If so, where payment has been made, will the Office of State Revenue issue a full refund to out-of-pocket Western Australian businesses? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
(2) If so, where payment has been made, will the Office of State Revenue issue a full refund to out-of-pocket Western Australian businesses? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
(1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
(1) Given that back payroll tax assessments of around $20 million have already been issued this financial year, which relate to employee-like contractors - arguably the greyest area of employment law - will the Government’s backflip result in these assessments being rendered null and void? (2) If so, where payment has been made, will the Office of State Revenue issue a full refund to out-of-pocket Western Australian businesses? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
(2) If so, where payment has been made, will the Office of State Revenue issue a full refund to out-of-pocket Western Australian businesses? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
(1)-(2) The full details of the budget will be announced by the Treasurer soon. The use of the term “backflip” by the Leader of the Opposition is totally misplaced. Discussions on that proposal revealed that there would clearly be difficulties with its administration. The Government has very sensibly decided for good practical reasons to take out of its armoury what it said it would do last year.
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