VIC: Preparatory GST bill introduced into Vic parliament

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-1999
VIC: Preparatory GST bill introduced into Vic parliament

MELBOURNE, April 21 AAP - Legislation in preparation for the commonwealth's GST was
introduced into the Victorian parliament today.

Premier Jeff Kennett said if the legislation was passed by the state parliament it would
not be proclaimed until the GST tax package was passed by the Senate.

The tax overhaul, which the federal government wants to introduce on January 1, 2000, is
currently being debated in the federal parliament.

Mr Kennett said amendments to the Competition Policy Reform (Victoria) Act 1995 was
template legislation that would be passed in every parliament around Australia.

"It is to ensure that there is no exploitation in introducing the new taxation, so the
people are not going to be disadvantaged when in fact tax breaks are ... reduced and that
reduction is not passed on to citizens," he told parliament.

His spokesman later said the amendments would ensure that reductions in state-based taxes
were passed on at the same time the GST came in.

"It provides the mechanisms by which we can implement the abolition of taxes and establish
the administration of the GST," he said.

AAP lmw/jlw/cjh

KEYWORD: TAX VIC

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.