CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Dr WEBSTER (Mallee) (10:36): Cameron, from my electorate of Mallee, is an engineer who wrote to me on 2 October. Cameron runs multiple businesses and farms and consults with mines in our region and around the world. He asked how we could stop the sudden ATO decision not to accept credit card payments from 30 November.
As background to Cameron's comments, I note that Treasurer Chalmers said on 8 October that the ATO had made their decision alone and that he had sought a transition period from the ATO. But, then, the Minister for Small Business, Anne Aly, said small businesses should have been consulted. Minister for Housing O'Neil said the government had 'real concerns'.
Cabinet Secretary Charlton said: The government supports the ATO's decision. On 9 October, Minister Wong said: They are independent. Governments can't direct the Tax Office to implement tax in a certain way.
Yet, lo and behold, within hours, the Treasurer declared: … we try not to interfere with the RBA or the ATO … but it's really important that we have stepped in today. Amazing! The Treasurer has reached, yet again, into taxpayers' pockets so the ATO will take credit card payments until 30 June 2027, not 30 November 2026, in a month's time.
My constituent Cameron, reflecting on this whole fiasco, says: It's pure chaos—everyone is running their own show in the government—nobody is in charge—its madness—if you ran a corporation like that it would be broke in 6 months—across the cabinet, nobody knows what anyone else is doing—they are half-cocked on everything! It is so true. Labor brings half cocked bills to parliament, then negotiates—instead of consulting first.
Who would have thought that was a good idea! Labor have been cunning with the marketing to get into government but unable to govern—or even govern themselves. We don't need further delay on the ATO ban on credit card payments; we need it scrapped.
Small businesses in Mallee, businesses like Cameron's, are battling under blow after blow from this government. COSBOA research shows that 87 per cent of regional small businesses report higher expenses, 73 per cent have falling profits, 87 per cent have trouble filling vacancies and 77 per cent are experiencing business related stress or anxiety. It is no wonder.