Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Saturday 9th January 2010

Labor’s land tax changes will cost business time and money

• Complex, lengthy process will deter many from even applying
• Will cost business in both time and money to complete
• Treasurer must explain if this was his intention

The Government must explain whether its intention was to create a process for the claiming of land tax relief that was so difficult and convoluted that people would be deterrred from even applying.

Any process that needs ten pages of guidelines and a seventeen page application form was obviously designed to ensure that as few a number of applications would be received and that as few a number of refunds would be paid.

The process established by the Treasurer Michael Aird will cost businesses money due to the complex, lengthy and invasive nature of the application process, and further, many businesses will need assistance from their accountants or financial advisers to prepare and complete the application process, adding even greater financial cost.

The Government in their haste to provide a 'political fix' to the land tax problem have acted without thinking through all of the challenges.

Some businesses could find that they may pay more for the financial advice they need to even prepare their application than what their refund will ultimately be.

This further debacle highlights how out of touch the Government is when it comes to understanding the needs of business and the wider community.

The State Liberals will be announcing our fairer land tax policy which will ultimately abolish land tax very soon, and in plenty of time before the election.