Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I thank all those members who have taken part in the debate on the Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 6) Bill 2006. In particular I thank the previous speaker, who provided a valuable contribution to this debate. Before I sum up I would like to respond to one point that the opposition spokesman made. He made reference to an article he had published in the Australian, and he claimed that the government had not responded. Just for the record, I had prepared a response and had sent it to the Australian. Regrettably, they were unable to print it. I opened the article I put to them with a quote which said, ‘We have never pretended to be a small business party.’ That was a quote from the then opposition leader, Mr Beazley. Perhaps there was some foresight by the Australianthey realised at that stage that the Shadow Assistant Treasurer was running around trying to cut the throat of the then opposition leader, Mr Beazley. Now he has been successful and he will form part, I understand, of the new dream team as it goes forward. I hope he does; I wish him every continued success.

I started the article with that quote and then went on to talk about a number of ways in which the Howard government have been the best friend small business has ever had. I talked about the way in which, for argument’s sake, we helped slash interest rates from the 20 per cent high that they were under Labor. Small business knows that Labor is not the party of small business. Small business has every understanding that Labor stands for high spending, high taxation, a stagnant economy and unemployment. This government stand for everything opposite and we have delivered over the last 10 years.

Specifically, the amendments to the list in relation to deductible gift recipients show the government’s commitment to assist worthy organisations that meet the criteria to become listed organisations under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 in order to attract greater public support for their activities. The organisations that are listed as DGRs in this bill are: the Don Chipp Foundation Ltd from 27 June 2006; Lingiara Policy Centre from 26 July 2006; Non Profit Australia Ltd from 29 June 2006 until 28 June 2009; Playgroup SA Inc. from 6 August 2006; the Point Nepean Community Trust from 27 June 2006 until 10 June 2009; St Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Appeal Inc. from 27 April 2006 until 26 April 2007; and the Ranfurly Library Service Inc. from 3 May 2006.

In addition, this bill extends the DGR listing of the Bowral Vietnam Memorial Walk Trust Inc. until 15 August 2006, the Dun Lewis Youth Development Foundation Ltd until 31 December 2006, the St Paul’s Cathedral Restoration Fund until 22 April 2008 and the Yachad Accelerated Learning Project Ltd until 30 June 2008.

The bill formalises arrangements for the Treasurer to appoint acting commissioners of taxation during periods of absence from office. The bill also makes a number of other technical corrections, amendments and general improvements to the taxation laws. While not implementing new policy, these amendments are part of the government’s ongoing commitment to improving the quality of the taxation laws.

This bill demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting community organisations that make a tangible difference in the lives of lower income people—people less fortunate than us. It underscores also the benefits that the Australian small business community has from re-electing a Howard government, because we are a government that have continued our support of small business. It will continue to be at the core of our support as we believe that it underpins the Australian economy. It is a segment within the Australian community and economy that will continue to drive growth into the future and will continue to employ young Australians. It is very much worthy of our support. We guarantee our continued support of that sector.

I again thank those who have participated in this debate, and I commend the bill to the House.

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