❓ Opposition MP Omodei questions Health Director Neale Fong's tax exemptions and potential misuse of tax perks by other health staff. Minister McGinty denies inappropriate payments but commits to review.
AnsweredQoN 285Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DR NEALE FONG - TAX EXEMPTIONS
I refer to the revelation that until very recently health director Neale Fong was claiming tax exemptions offered to charity and health workers despite his lucrative contract and change in position. (1) How many of Dr Fong’s staff also claim this tax perk? (2) Will the minister confirm that staff have been deliberately shifted onto the payrolls of health services instead of the Department of Health so that they can claim this tax perk as a pay incentive? (3) Will the minister commit to an audit of all salaries and benefits paid to all health service and departmental staff? Mr J.A. McGINTY
I refer to the revelation that until very recently health director Neale Fong was claiming tax exemptions offered to charity and health workers despite his lucrative contract and change in position. (1) How many of Dr Fong’s staff also claim this tax perk? (2) Will the minister confirm that staff have been deliberately shifted onto the payrolls of health services instead of the Department of Health so that they can claim this tax perk as a pay incentive? (3) Will the minister commit to an audit of all salaries and benefits paid to all health service and departmental staff? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
(1) How many of Dr Fong’s staff also claim this tax perk? (2) Will the minister confirm that staff have been deliberately shifted onto the payrolls of health services instead of the Department of Health so that they can claim this tax perk as a pay incentive? (3) Will the minister commit to an audit of all salaries and benefits paid to all health service and departmental staff? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
(2) Will the minister confirm that staff have been deliberately shifted onto the payrolls of health services instead of the Department of Health so that they can claim this tax perk as a pay incentive? (3) Will the minister commit to an audit of all salaries and benefits paid to all health service and departmental staff? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
(3) Will the minister commit to an audit of all salaries and benefits paid to all health service and departmental staff? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
(1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
(1) How many of Dr Fong’s staff also claim this tax perk? (2) Will the minister confirm that staff have been deliberately shifted onto the payrolls of health services instead of the Department of Health so that they can claim this tax perk as a pay incentive? (3) Will the minister commit to an audit of all salaries and benefits paid to all health service and departmental staff? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
(2) Will the minister confirm that staff have been deliberately shifted onto the payrolls of health services instead of the Department of Health so that they can claim this tax perk as a pay incentive? (3) Will the minister commit to an audit of all salaries and benefits paid to all health service and departmental staff? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
(3) Will the minister commit to an audit of all salaries and benefits paid to all health service and departmental staff? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
(1)-(3) I am unaware of any staff in the health department being paid inappropriately, but, nonetheless, prudent management would dictate that this is something that we should look at to make sure that everything is above board. The answer to question (2) is no. I think I have answered question (3).
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