Thursday 13 June 2013

Hansard of the Legislative Council

TAXATION RELIEF BILL 2013 (No. 35)

Mr FINCH (Rosevears) - Mr President, this bill confirms several measures, which seem eminently sensible in the present economic conditions. The first is the raising of the tax-free threshold for payroll tax. In two weeks the tax-free threshold will increase by $240 000 to $1.25 million. That is an effective way to stimulate the economy and in the current budget environment, it is understandable that the expenditure on the First Home Owner Grant had to be reduced. Sensibly, the part of the grant to help buyers of new homes is being retained and that should stimulate jobs in the building industry.

In the other measure to exempt from duty, the transfer of ownership of caravans in Tasmania brings Tasmania into line with mainland states and the businesses that sell those vehicles will now see themselves on an equal footing with their interstate counterparts. This measure should help retain jobs in that important part of the tourism industry. I have no problem with this bill.