NSW Nationals voted against supporting an increase in the GST to 12 per cent this morning in the first session of debate at the party’s annual conference in Queanbeyan.
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While a stream of motions on transport and regional development was moved seamlessly, the taxation debate caused some to-ing and fro-ing.
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 that the party move to make costs associated with the family home, for example interest and repairs, be 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 measure 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 debat at conference.
“What is it going to cost,” he said.
Despite his objections the recommendation received overwhelming support.
The conference has stopped for lunch. After lunch health and education issues will be up for debate.
More to come
Jenna Cairney
Deputy editor of The Land.
Deputy editor of The Land.
