Nats knock back GST increase

While a stream of motions on transport and regional development was moved seamlessly, the taxation debate caused some to-ing and fro-ing.

While the Throsby Federal Electorate Council's recommendation the NSW Nationals support the GST increase was rejected, the conference did vote in favour of charging the GST to all goods and services.

The conference also overwhelmingly rejected a suggestion from the Deniliquin branch the party move to make costs associated with the family home, for example interest and repairs, tax deductible in the same way as is the case for investment properties.

Despite voting against the GST increase, the NSW Nationals still voted in favour of the abolition of the payroll tax.

After some debate over whether State government could afford to lose the income should it be scrapped, Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser recommended the Nationals "denounce payroll tax as an unfair burden and call on State government to take all reasonable measures to remove this tax."

"That sends a strong message," he said.

Speaking against the recommendation from the floor, one Nationals member urged fellow members to do more homework on the cost implication of taxation changes ahead of debate at conference.

"What is it going to cost?" he said.

Despite his objections Mr Fraser's recommendation received the overwhelming support of the party.