ATO refusal ‘arrogance’
A GEELONG not-for-profit organisation has taken a new approach to encourage the community to assist with donations for vulnerable local families.
Geelong Mums’ “Shop and Drop” donation drive box, in partnership with Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, encourages residents to donate newly purchased items as they shop.
Unable to accept secondhand goods due to COVID-19 restrictions, Geelong Mums general manager Julia Roache said the group came up with
LOCAL Labor MPs have accused the federal government of “rank arrogance” after refusing to meet to discuss the mooted closure of Geelong’s Australian Taxation Office.
Deputy Labor Leader Richard Marles and Corangamite MP Libby Coker said they had been denied a meeting with Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar to discuss the future of the office.
In June, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told Mr Marles the topic was under the remit of his junior minister Mr Sukkar.
Mr Marles said the refusal to meet was “nothing more than rank arrogance”.
“If the Treasurer was willing to make time to meet with me to discuss this issue, why is it below his junior minister?” Mr Marles asked.
“I am trying to seek answers for the more than 100 ATO the new method to make the act of donating accessible.
“It’s an easy and simple way for the wider community to support others during these difficult times,” she said.
“As you’re doing your own shopping, you can grab one extra thing and pop it straight in the box.
“Even the smallest bit can help so much.”
Ms Roache said shoppers had donated a wealth of essential items since the drive launched this month, already filling the box once.
Geelong Mums recorded its busiest month in seven years at workers based in Geelong and Michael Sukkar is refusing to provide an explanation.”
Mr Marles said he was willing to discuss the matter with Mr Sukkar over the phone and that families deserved an explanation.
The tax office said it was due to make a decision next month on the future of its Geelong office beyond June 2021.
A spokesman for Mr Sukkar said the tax office was an independent statutory authority and the proposed closure of the Geelong office was a decision for the Commissioner of Taxation, not the government.
“The ATO has previously indicated that a decision on this matter has not been made,” the spokesman said.
“Both Mr Marles and Ms Coker should stop trying to make this about themselves and instead engage with the commissioner who is the ultimate decision maker.” the height of the pandemic in March.
Ms Roache expects the demand to continue during the second wave of COVID-19.
“Everyone is wondering what’s going to happen, are we going to go into a second lockdown?” she said.
“We want to have as much stock as we can in case we head down that road again.”
The box is accepting donations of new items including nappies, toiletries, kids’ clothes and shoes. To donate to the drive, visit the collection box outside Target at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre.
Analysis from economic consultant REMPLAN states the potential closure of the office could bust a $53m, 200-job hole in the Geelong economy.
“The contempt the minister holds for the workers of the Geelong ATO is beyond belief,” Ms Coker said.
“It’s time Michael Sukkar stops the political game-playing and considers the livelihoods of the more than 100 local workers and their families this move is putting at risk.”
A Geelong ATO employee said, via the Community and Public Sector Union, that the potential closure added to the financial and emotional challenges from COVID-19.
“The Geelong community has suffered a lot of job losses due to the economic downturn,” the employee said. “We need to retain good-quality jobs in Geelong to assist with the economic recovery of our regional community.”