Labor & Liberal Both Spineless on Tax Reform

The Tasmanian Greens today expressed serious disappointment that the State Taxation Review had come to an abrupt and premature end because Liberal and Labor lacked the spine for a public debate on the issue.

Greens Treasury spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that after doing a very good job of identifying the key issues and options available to improve the fairness, equity and efficiency of the state’s taxation system, the Panel has put the whole Review into the too hard basket.

“The announcement that the Review will be ending prematurely is a huge disappointment and a missed opportunity to streamline and modernise Tasmania’s taxation system,” Mr Morris said.

“Tasmania has high tax rates and a narrow base for both Land Tax and Payroll Tax and decades of exemptions and concessions granted under pressure from lobby groups and vested interests have created a complex system that is expensive to administer.”

“The Greens had high hopes that the Review Panel would undertake a rational and reasoned analysis of what reforms are needed to improve business competitiveness.”

“Instead of leading the country in reviewing our taxation system we have now gone to last place because there is clearly no will from either Labor or Liberal to complete the review, despite most of the work having already been done.”

“This review was not about increasing the level of tax, it was about improving its efficiency, fairness, administration and sustainability. That opportunity has been carelessly thrown away.”

“I am angry that Labor and Liberal have let down all those organisations and individuals who made thoughtful and considered submissions to the Panel.”

“The Greens stand ready and willing to have a mature debate about improving our taxation system,” Mr Morris said.