Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey welcomes the Government’s decision not to change remote area tax concessions despite recommendations from the Productivity Commission to abolish them.
In the report titled Remote Area Tax Concessions and Payments Study, released Wednesday (26/02/2020), the Productivity Commission recommended abandoning the Zonal Tax Offset as well as changes to the Remote Area Allowance and Fringe Benefits Tax.
“The report made a range of recommendations regarding our current mechanisms to support regional economies such as the zonal tax offset and remote area allowance, but The Nationals have made it clear we would only consider changes that will improve regional Australia,” said Perin Davey.
“It’s important to remember reports by the Productivity Commission are reports to Government and not by Government.
“We cannot consider changes that disadvantage communities that are already doing it tough or support any change that sees a decrease in support for regional and remote areas.”
Senator Davey said The Nationals in Government want to unlock the potential of regional areas and have invested almost $33 billion to do so since getting into Government.
“Right now our regional communities need to know we believe in a strong future and that is why we continue to invest be it through drought assistance, bushfire recovery, regional road funding, black spot funding and job creation,” Senator Davey said.
“Longer term I would also like us to look at how we incentivise business to decentralise and move to the regions. “As a government we are getting the required infrastructure in place that can support new business outside of the urban crush.”