THE Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) welcomes the announced review of the proposed backpacker tax and hopes this will see an end to this policy that will stifle Victorian tourism growth.
 
Under the Federal Government plan as announced in the 2015-16 budget, from 1 July 2016 the tax-free threshold (currently $18,200) for working holiday makers will be removed and their earnings will be subjected to a 32.5 per cent tax rate from the first dollar earned.
 
“Tourism businesses have been opposed to this plan from the start as it will deter backpackers from visiting and working in Australia,” said VTIC Acting Chief Executive Erin Joyce.
 
“Backpackers are a valuable source of labour for Victorian tourism businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector which relies on the involvement of a transient workforce to meet seasonal market demands. Victorian tourism operators are facing a shortage of more than 30,000 workers over the next five years, so the government must do what it can to grow our workforce.
 
“Hitting travellers with this tax would make us a less desirable place to visit and work and damage our strong standing in the highly-competitive international tourism arena.
 
“We look forward to presenting our stance to the Federal Government’s review of this proposal on behalf of Victorian tourism operators.”
 
International backpackers contribute over $600 million to the state’s economy, and over $3 billion nationally, and represent more than one in 10 international overnight visitors to Victoria.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak body for Victoria’s tourism and events industry, providing one united industry voice.

Tourism and events are growth industries for Victoria and contribute more than $20 billion to the state economy each year and employ more than 200,000 people.

vtic.com.au

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ARTS and broadcasting groups will address the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts next week in Melbourne for its inquiry into broadcasting, online content and live production to rural and regional Australia.

Committee Chairman the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP said the Committee will build on the valuable evidence already received at its hearings in Sydney and Canberra, when it hears from groups in Melbourne. It looks forward to learning from the perspectives that these groups will provide based on their Victorian and broader regional experience in arts and media matters.

“The Committee believes that while rural and regional Australians face a number of challenges, they should not have to compromise on access to reliable news services and emergency broadcasts, and to quality arts performances. These services are vital to these communities where almost a third of Australians live,” Mrs Bishop said.

Public hearing details
Date: Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Time: 10.00am to 3.15pm
Location: Parliament of Victoria, Room G3
55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria
Live webcast (audio only)

Hearing program:
10.00am - Live Performance Australia (Submission 25)
10.45am - Regional Arts Victoria (Submission 1)
11.30am - Australian National Theatre Live (Submission 52)
12.00pm - Lunch break
12.30pm - ACE Radio (Submission 15)
1.00pm - Deakin University (Submission 19)
1.30pm - Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Submission 29)
2.00pm - National and State Libraries Australasia (Submission 38)
2.30pm - Screen Australia
3.15pm - Finish

For further background information, including programs for the hearing and copies of submissions, please visit the Committee website www.aph.gov.au/communications

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IN A MAJOR WIN win for local steel makers the Australian Government will today implement anti-circumvention measures against foreign steel importers who have been avoiding anti-dumping duties by slightly modifying their products.

Making the announcement today of duties payable in excess of $4 million, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said the decisions would prevent certain steel exporters in China, Taiwan and Malaysia making minor changes to their products to circumvent existing anti-dumping measures.

“Australian steelmakers need to be able to benefit from free and fair trade,” Mr Pyne said.

“When foreign suppliers try to get around Australian anti-dumping duties, in this case by substituting selected steel products with alloyed for unalloyed steel, this Government is committed to action.

“We are a world leader in fighting the avoidance, or circumvention, of anti-dumping measures.

“The Australian Government will continue to work to give Australia’s Anti-Dumping Commissioner the power and capabilities he needs to ensure that local producers are not injured by unfair competition.”

Assistant Minister for Science Karen Andrews was proud to be part of Australia’s effective and equitable anti-dumping process.

“Our system is fair and transparent in providing support for Australian manufacturers.”

Across the two types of goods, the duties for alloyed galvanised steel will range from 2.6% to 62.9% and for alloyed Hollow Structural Sections from 3% to 57.1%.

Information on the decisions can be found at http://www.adcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

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SMALL BUSINESS is the engine room of the Australian economy—it generates investment and employment opportunities for thousands of Australians.

The Standing Committee on Education and Employment tabled its report on Tuesday into the barriers that jobseekers face when seeking employment with small businesses.

Committee Chair, Andrew Laming MP, said the report’s recommendations are aimed at making it easier for small businesses to invest and employ and for disadvantaged jobseekers to find work with these businesses.

“We want small businesses to succeed, to grow, and to employ. This report recognises that while the Coalition Government have achieved a great deal to promote opportunities for small business, there are some specific areas for improvement” Laming said.

The Committee recommended:

• establishing a working group to examine the alignment of the definitions of employee and contractor and relating legislative barriers, and to consider a proposal for the establishment of a register of building contractors;
• investigating the impact of lowering the GST threshold on the importation of low value physical goods;
•  improving the promotion of the value of employing culturally and linguistically diverse people;
•  reviewing careers advice provided in schools;
• further funding and support for driver’s licence programs;
• assessing skills recognition and apprenticeship programs;
• better supporting for providers of ancillary services for jobseekers;
• changing welfare eligibility criteria for sufferers of episodic illnesses; and
• reassessing the policy case for the taxation of redundancy payouts for persons over 65 years.

The full report and information about the inquiry, including submissions, can be accessed via the Committee’s website.

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