Poll tax – results

Our online poll said it all this week. We asked our readers if they were happy with the half-a-percentage point cut in payroll tax and barely any of them thought it was a good idea.

Offered a range of options from 5.5 per cent to abolition it should come as no surprise that three quarters voted for no payroll tax.

Last week we focused on why payroll tax was a bad tax and how much business wanted it removed.

While the pragmatic WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry sought a reduction from 6 per cent to 5.25 per cent, many private business people opted for the end of this tax on employing people.

Many in business will be happy to see the tax has finally been put on the agenda, even if they are disappointed by the size of the cut. At least it is tracking downwards and we can only hope that some sort of bidding war erupts during the election campaign to push this down further, because I don’t believe for a minute that the Gallop Government’s round of tax cuts last week will in any way remove it as an election issue.

The nature of asset ownership has changed. We don’t buy houses for life and we don’t hold onto cars for 20 years. Taxes on transactions involving these assets are costly and they have become major components of the decision to buy or sell.

And what about the stamp duty on insuring these items – it can be greater than the GST, which was meant to replace all these State taxes.

Dongara a sleepy hamlet no more

Our special report this week is on the once sleepy coastal hamlet of Dongara.

It is a fascinating look at a rare development in Western Australia – a town that’s at the centre of a resources boom but has not been totally engulfed by it.

Mostly, in WA, where resources has arrived it has become the mainstay of nearby townships.

There are a few that buck this trend. Boddington comes to mind, as do a few other South West locations. It’s a long time since I’ve been to Kununurra, but I gather the advent of diamonds has not totally changed the complexion of that township either.

It is unusual to see these regions where resources lives side-by-side with other major industries. Ironically, it is the resource dominated areas where miners are starting to complain about local shires getting heavy handed with the rates.

Maybe that’s what happens when you are the only hand that feeds.

Contributors wanted

At the end of the year, WA Business News plans a new project – Person of Year. We are looking for business people who have contributed to the wider community through their work or their personal efforts.

It could be someone whose motivation is to succeed in a business with a product or service that improves life in some way in our community. It could be someone who directs their business to help the community outside of its core product or service. Or it could be an individual who simply puts their own time, energy or money into a community-minded project or service.

If you think you know of someone who fits into this category – who is driven in some way to improve the community in some way – please let us know by contacting us through our website www.businessnews.com.au or emailing me directly at mark@wabusinessnews.com.au

40under40

A Quick note to remind readers that we are mid-way through the nominations period with about five weeks to go. Nominations are going well but that should not put off anybody from nominating someone under 40 who might make a strong candidate. Just go to 40under40.com.au