Hon Tom Stephens questions the Minister for Tourism regarding a proposed bed tax for Broome outlined in the water bank structure plan. The Minister's response indicates the government does not support the tax, citing GST implications.

AnsweredQoN 315Legislative Council
Asked
11 October 2000
Portfolio
Tourism

QuestionView source ↗

I draw the minister's attention to the water bank structure plan 2000. (1) Is he aware of the proposals contained in the water bank structure plan advocating a bed tax for Broome, apparently endorsed by the Minister for Lands? (2) What consultation did the Minister for Lands have with the Minister for Tourism, the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the tourism industry? (3) Has the minister for the WATC relayed industry views on the bed tax proposal and does the support of the Minister for Lands of this bed tax proposal represent state government policy? Hon N.F. MOORE

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(3) I understand that the local Broome tourism community put forward that proposition. It is part of the document to which the member referred. The Government does not support a bed tax. I am not sure we could have one due to the GST arrangements. The last time a bed tax was introduced in Australia, it was brought in by the Labor Party in New South Wales. It no longer exists because the GST arrangement required that bed taxes be removed. Whether the Broome community wants a bed tax to support tourism in Broome is irrelevant because I do not think it is constitutionally feasible for a bed tax to be charged anywhere in Australia while there is a GST. Hon Peter Foss: Hon Tom Stephens wants us to suppress the views of the Broome community. Hon N.F. MOORE: He probably does, but that is beside the point. The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.
(1) Is he aware of the proposals contained in the water bank structure plan advocating a bed tax for Broome, apparently endorsed by the Minister for Lands? (2) What consultation did the Minister for Lands have with the Minister for Tourism, the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the tourism industry? (3) Has the minister for the WATC relayed industry views on the bed tax proposal and does the support of the Minister for Lands of this bed tax proposal represent state government policy? Hon N.F. MOORE replied: (1)-(3) I understand that the local Broome tourism community put forward that proposition. It is part of the document to which the member referred. The Government does not support a bed tax. I am not sure we could have one due to the GST arrangements. The last time a bed tax was introduced in Australia, it was brought in by the Labor Party in New South Wales. It no longer exists because the GST arrangement required that bed taxes be removed. Whether the Broome community wants a bed tax to support tourism in Broome is irrelevant because I do not think it is constitutionally feasible for a bed tax to be charged anywhere in Australia while there is a GST. Hon Peter Foss: Hon Tom Stephens wants us to suppress the views of the Broome community. Hon N.F. MOORE: He probably does, but that is beside the point. The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.
(2) What consultation did the Minister for Lands have with the Minister for Tourism, the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the tourism industry? (3) Has the minister for the WATC relayed industry views on the bed tax proposal and does the support of the Minister for Lands of this bed tax proposal represent state government policy? Hon N.F. MOORE replied: (1)-(3) I understand that the local Broome tourism community put forward that proposition. It is part of the document to which the member referred. The Government does not support a bed tax. I am not sure we could have one due to the GST arrangements. The last time a bed tax was introduced in Australia, it was brought in by the Labor Party in New South Wales. It no longer exists because the GST arrangement required that bed taxes be removed. Whether the Broome community wants a bed tax to support tourism in Broome is irrelevant because I do not think it is constitutionally feasible for a bed tax to be charged anywhere in Australia while there is a GST. Hon Peter Foss: Hon Tom Stephens wants us to suppress the views of the Broome community. Hon N.F. MOORE: He probably does, but that is beside the point. The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.
(3) Has the minister for the WATC relayed industry views on the bed tax proposal and does the support of the Minister for Lands of this bed tax proposal represent state government policy? Hon N.F. MOORE replied: (1)-(3) I understand that the local Broome tourism community put forward that proposition. It is part of the document to which the member referred. The Government does not support a bed tax. I am not sure we could have one due to the GST arrangements. The last time a bed tax was introduced in Australia, it was brought in by the Labor Party in New South Wales. It no longer exists because the GST arrangement required that bed taxes be removed. Whether the Broome community wants a bed tax to support tourism in Broome is irrelevant because I do not think it is constitutionally feasible for a bed tax to be charged anywhere in Australia while there is a GST. Hon Peter Foss: Hon Tom Stephens wants us to suppress the views of the Broome community. Hon N.F. MOORE: He probably does, but that is beside the point. The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.
Hon N.F. MOORE replied: (1)-(3) I understand that the local Broome tourism community put forward that proposition. It is part of the document to which the member referred. The Government does not support a bed tax. I am not sure we could have one due to the GST arrangements. The last time a bed tax was introduced in Australia, it was brought in by the Labor Party in New South Wales. It no longer exists because the GST arrangement required that bed taxes be removed. Whether the Broome community wants a bed tax to support tourism in Broome is irrelevant because I do not think it is constitutionally feasible for a bed tax to be charged anywhere in Australia while there is a GST. Hon Peter Foss: Hon Tom Stephens wants us to suppress the views of the Broome community. Hon N.F. MOORE: He probably does, but that is beside the point. The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.
(1)-(3) I understand that the local Broome tourism community put forward that proposition. It is part of the document to which the member referred. The Government does not support a bed tax. I am not sure we could have one due to the GST arrangements. The last time a bed tax was introduced in Australia, it was brought in by the Labor Party in New South Wales. It no longer exists because the GST arrangement required that bed taxes be removed. Whether the Broome community wants a bed tax to support tourism in Broome is irrelevant because I do not think it is constitutionally feasible for a bed tax to be charged anywhere in Australia while there is a GST. Hon Peter Foss: Hon Tom Stephens wants us to suppress the views of the Broome community. Hon N.F. MOORE: He probably does, but that is beside the point. The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.
Hon Peter Foss: Hon Tom Stephens wants us to suppress the views of the Broome community. Hon N.F. MOORE: He probably does, but that is beside the point. The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.
Hon N.F. MOORE: He probably does, but that is beside the point. The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.
The PRESIDENT: Order! The question is finished. I did not hear the interjection; I do not know whether it was even recorded.

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