❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Premier about the impact of extending payroll tax to contractors on the home building industry, particularly regarding costs for first home buyers and small businesses. The Premier responds by highlighting ongoing consultations with representative bodies to ensure fair application and minimise impact on genuine independent businesses.
AnsweredQoN 451Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PAYROLL TAX, APPLICATION TO CONTRACTORS, EFFECT ON HOME BUILDING INDUSTRY 451. Mr BARNETT to the Premier: I refer to the Government’s budget announcement to extend the payroll tax base to employee-like contractors. (1) Will this measure apply to the home building industry? (2) If so, is the Premier aware that this measure will cost first home buyers an additional $2 500 to $3 000 for a typical $100 000 home? (3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
PAYROLL TAX, APPLICATION TO CONTRACTORS, EFFECT ON HOME BUILDING INDUSTRY
I refer to the Government’s budget announcement to extend the payroll tax base to employee-like contractors. (1) Will this measure apply to the home building industry? (2) If so, is the Premier aware that this measure will cost first home buyers an additional $2 500 to $3 000 for a typical $100 000 home? (3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
(1) Will this measure apply to the home building industry? (2) If so, is the Premier aware that this measure will cost first home buyers an additional $2 500 to $3 000 for a typical $100 000 home? (3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
(2) If so, is the Premier aware that this measure will cost first home buyers an additional $2 500 to $3 000 for a typical $100 000 home? (3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
(3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
(1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
PAYROLL TAX, APPLICATION TO CONTRACTORS, EFFECT ON HOME BUILDING INDUSTRY
I refer to the Government’s budget announcement to extend the payroll tax base to employee-like contractors. (1) Will this measure apply to the home building industry? (2) If so, is the Premier aware that this measure will cost first home buyers an additional $2 500 to $3 000 for a typical $100 000 home? (3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
(1) Will this measure apply to the home building industry? (2) If so, is the Premier aware that this measure will cost first home buyers an additional $2 500 to $3 000 for a typical $100 000 home? (3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
(2) If so, is the Premier aware that this measure will cost first home buyers an additional $2 500 to $3 000 for a typical $100 000 home? (3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
(3) Is the Premier aware that if this measure is implemented, many small businesses in the home building industry will be forced to pay payroll tax for the first time, and many medium-sized builders will be forced to pay a higher rate of payroll tax? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
(1)-(3) The Leader of the Opposition knows that the Government proposes holding discussions with 17 representative bodies to make sure that appropriate definitions will apply to this proposed legislation and genuine independent businesses will not be impacted by the measures. That is what the Government is doing; it is trying to make sure that in the application of payroll tax in Western Australia, people who are employees are counted when payroll tax obligations are calculated. This is a complex issue. I can tell the House that the Government has invited 17 representative bodies to participate in the consultation process. The bodies that have accepted that invitation are the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, the Housing Industry Association, the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Taxation Institute of Australia, CPA Australia, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia and the Western Australian Farmers Federation. The Finance and Treasury Association Ltd, Australian Finance Conference Ltd and the Master Builders Association of Western Australia have declined to participate. We have not yet received a response from six organisations. We will make sure that this is done properly. As a community, we must recognise that there are enormous pressures on government to provide health, education and police services. The current Opposition seems to have a view that the Government can radically increase the amount of money spent in its budget even though it does not have the revenue base to do so. Opposition members live in cloud-cuckoo-land; they have been in cloud-cuckoo-land for some time. That is why they are on the opposition benches. The Government will make sure that our tax system works fairly for all concerned. Revenue is available to spend on important services that are needed for people who live not only in Perth, but also throughout Western Australia.
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