Queensland Election 2017: Business groups push for less tax, cheaper energy and reduced red tape
INDUSTRY groups are calling for bold plans to reduce energy costs, build infrastructure and cut taxes to get the state moving, as the LNP impressed with its first pitch for the business vote.
QLD Election
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INDUSTRY groups are calling for bold plans to reduce energy costs, build infrastructure and cut taxes to get the state moving, as the LNP impressed with its first pitch for the business vote.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) was among the first winners, with its request to see the payroll tax exemption threshold lifted granted by the LNP.
But it wants payroll tax quashed all together as groups called for an array of taxes to be killed or slashed.
Master Builders and Real Estate Institute of Queensland want stamp duty – which they say prohibits homeowners from downsizing – to be replaced by a land tax.
The Queensland Resources Council want royalties that bring in $3 billion a year to the Budget to stay at current levels, warning miners were already paying enough and couldn’t shoulder any more increases.
And the Property Council of Australia wants a three per cent tax surcharge on foreign buyers of houses and apartments abolished.
Most groups nominated energy costs as a major drag on business, calling for focused strategies from both majors on how they would bring bills down.
“What I can tell you from talking with small businesses every single day is that Queensland is a very challenging environment to do business in,” the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland’s Kate Whittle said.
“They need immediate action on electricity prices.
“They need a business operating environment that does not impose excessive costs on running a small business.”
Recent polling by the CCIQ found as many as one in three small business owners were planning to park their support with minor parties and independents because they were so unimpressed with the policies of both Labor and the LNP.
Originally published as Queensland Election 2017: Business groups push for less tax, cheaper energy and reduced red tape
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