Queensland premier attacks federal government on small business policy

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 05:31 · Archive

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has criticised federal reforms to trust taxation, credit card surcharges and worker holiday visas as a 'siege' on small businesses.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has launched an attack on federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers over a series of Commonwealth budget reforms, describing them as a 'siege' on small and family businesses. The premier cited changes to trust taxation, the removal of credit card surcharges and a proposed ban on paying tax bills by credit card, alongside cuts to worker holiday visas, as measures making it harder for businesses to operate.

In his State of the State address delivered on Monday, Mr Crisafulli argued that family businesses were not trying to act improperly when establishing trusts to build equity and employ people. He said the removal of credit card surcharges was problematic because the Australian Taxation Office would then charge businesses for using credit cards to pay their tax bills, creating what he described as a 'double whammy'. He argued that each federal decision making business operations more difficult discouraged entrepreneurs from continuing.

The attack comes as the Crisafulli government reaches the halfway mark of its four-year term. The premier said Queenslanders remained grappling with four major crises—youth crime, health, housing and cost of living—two years after the Liberal National Party was elected to address them.

How it is being reported

• 'Under siege': small business a target for governmentA premier has used his State of the State address to attack the federal government over changes to trusts, tax payments and credit card surcharges.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 05:21
• 'Under siege': small business a target for governmentA premier has used his State of the State address to attack the federal government over changes to trusts, tax payments and credit card surcharges.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 05:21

In this story: David Crisafulli · Jim Chalmers · Queensland · Australian Taxation Office

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