No move to drop Zone Tax Offset Government bins proposal
Townsville LNP federal MP Phillip Thompson said he would not stand idle and let southern bureaucrats put more strain on the people of Townsville.
“We need to be driving investment in our city and supporting our regional communities because when they thrive, Townsville thrives,” he said.
Mr Sukkar said if the recommended changes were implemented it would result in significant disruption to existing arrangements.
“The most important thing we can do at this time is to continue to provide certainty and confidence to those living in regional areas that the Government remains fully committed to supporting the growth of our regions and their continued success into the future,” he said.
Townsville City Council Mayor Jenny Hill said cities like Townsville faced higher costs of living and were struggling to attract the growth they needed.
“Insurance is the perfect example. Townsville residents are paying up to $1000 more every year than those living in and around the capital cities,” she said. Cr Hill said she was pleased the Federal Government had committed to not acting on the commission’s recommendations.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Patricia O’callaghan said the Productivity Commission re
Advertisement port should be given no credence, while Townsville Chamber of Commerce president Michele Falconieri said it seemed the chamber’s submission had been ignored.
Townsville-based accountant Carl Valentine of PVW Partners said the report had missed an opportunity to initiate positive policy reforms to develop Northern Australia.
“PVW Partners advocates that there is a very real need to reform and expand the ZTO to provide a meaningful difference which would assist our region to attract, grow and retain a thriving population,” Mr Valentine said.
Mr Sukkar said given the challenges faced by regional Australia, including from the drought, bushfires and coronavirus, the Government would not be acting on the Productivity Commission’s recommendations.
“The most important thing we can do at this time is continue to provide certainty,” Mr Sukkar said.