Committees into the GST and a new tax system
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On 25 November 1998, the Senate referred issues relating to the above
matters to a Select Committee and three of its References Committees,
as summarised below.
The Select Committee will undertake its inquiries in two stages. In stage
one, on which it will report by 18 February 1999, the Select Committee
will examine:
- the effects of the proposals on GDP, national export performance,
national debt, the CPI, federal revenues and expenditures, and the distribution
of wealth in the Australian community;
- the GST in relation to the necessities of life (such as food, clothing,
shelter and essential services);
- the effect of the proposals on particular types of households and
groups, especially those on lower or fixed incomes, or with special
needs such as people with disabilities; and
- whether the stated objectives of the package can be met by using an
alternative and fairer approach.
In stage two, on which it will report by 19 April 1999, the Select Committee
will examine:
- the broad economic effects of the proposals on the fairness of the
tax system, on living standards, on the efficiency of the economy, and
on future public revenues, including the effects:
- of including or excluding food or other necessities of life in
the GST;
- of changing other types of taxes, and methods used to avoid taxes;
- on State, Territory and local governments;
- on specific industries, on the non-profit sector and on regions;
and
- the findings of the Vos Tax Consultative Committee;
- arrangements between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories
to implement the proposals, including mechanisms for future changes
to the GST; and
- such other matters as the committee considers falls within the scope
of this inquiry.
References Committees Inquiries
The following three References Committees will inquire into specific
matters and report by 31 March 1999:
1. Community Affairs
References Committee
- the impacts of the proposals on the living standards of Australian
households, especially those on low incomes;
- the scope and effectiveness of the proposals on charities, child care
services, aged care services, welfare services, local government human
services, health services, pharmaceuticals and health remedies;
- the effects of the proposals on public, private and community housing;
- the effect of the proposed private health insurance rebate;
- the effects on people with disabilities; and
- the zero-rating of health services.
2. Employment, Workplace
Relations, Small Business and Education References Committee
- the effects of the proposals on employment and wage costs, including
the quality, accessibility and affordability of employment services;
and the scope and effectiveness of changing the unemployment benefits,
pensions and Newstart Allowance ‘tapers’;
- the impacts of the proposals on the education sector, including zero-rating
or exemption arrangements on education, books and associated resources;
- the impact on training and adult education, overseas students and
ancillary and associated activities; and
- options for amendments to improve the fairness or efficiency of the
legislation.
3. Environment,
Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee
- the broad environmental impacts of the proposals, including effects
on:
- the use of various types of fuel and energy;
- greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, forestry, and mining; and
- options for a tax system which better achieve environmental objectives,
including ‘ecotaxes’;
- the impact of the proposals on the arts, including ticket sales, the
transfer of grant monies, and private sector sponsorship; and
- the effect of the proposals on not-for-profit conservation and arts
organisations.
Submissions must be lodged by 29 January 1999. People wishing to make
a submission on any of the above matters should forward them to one of
the following addresses:
Senate GST and a New Tax System Inquiries
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
fax (02) 6277 3122;
ph (02) 6277 3134
GSTInquiry.sen@aph.gov.au
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