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The Border Watch : February 12th 2015
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2 NEWS Free range clarification to clear up egg confusion IN BRIEF CONFUSION surrounding what defines a free range egg is one step closer to being resolved with the release of a draft code, regulations and trademark for further consultation. Business Services and Consumers Minister Gail Gago said consumers have the right to know precisely what they are buying. “There has been much debate and frustration from both industry and consumers about what defines free range in South Australia,” Ms Gago said. “We have undertaken a lot work to produce a regulatory scheme that will provide consumers with guidance in selecting South Australian free range eggs without restricting or affecting the industry. “What we have drafted is a voluntary code, where egg producers who meet our free range conditions will receive a trademarked tick of approval.” The South Australian Cabinet has approved the draft fair trading regulations and associated trademark. The national body that administers legislation governing trademarks, IP Australia, is required to examine the proposed trademark to ensure it does not conflict with existing trademarks. Fitzgerald’s Fish sales Market Direct Retail & Factory Outlet Fish specials Flake ............................$22.00kg Blue Grenadier ..........$16.00kg Butterfish ...................$19.90kg Rockling ......................$31.50kg Orange Roughy ..........$33.50kg Sand Whiting ................$9.90kg Natural Oysters .......$12.90doz Oysters Kilpatrick ...$13.90doz Meat specials Pickled Pork ...............$11.90kg Corned Beef .................$8.50kg Boned Leg Ham .........$14.90kg T Bone Steak ..............$22.00kg Scotch Fillet ................$24.50kg Porterhouse Steak ....$16.50kg heat ‘n’ eat Meals Garlic Prawns with Rice Curry Prawns with Rice Sweet Chilli Prawns with Rice Beef Stew Seafood Mornay Spaghetti Bolognese Steak and Kidney with Mash Lambs Fry and Bacon Tuna Mornay Weekdays 10am - 5.30pm, Sat 10.30am-2.30pm 11 Allan Drive, Mount Gambier | Phone 8725 0087 Notice of Meeting The South East Natural Resources Management Board will be meeting on: Thursday, 26th February 2015 at 2.30pm, at Settlers Cafe in Naracoorte. The Board welcomes public attendance to observe the meeting. An agenda will be available from Thursday, 19th February 2015. If you would like to make a presentation or discuss a topic with the Board, please contact Tim Collins, Regional Manager on (08) 8735 1241. Government of South Australia South East Natural Resources Management Board VISIT US ONLINE borderwatch.com.au Land tax reform fear Government proposal would hurt regional property owners BRETT KENNEDY SOUTH East homeowners could be hit with an annual land tax bill of $1200 under proposed tax reform options released by the State Government yesterday. Stamp duty would be abolished under the changes, which were outlined in the State Tax Review Discussion Paper with Premier Jay Weatherill declaring the state’s taxation system open to radical reform. If adopted, the proposal would see homeowners pay an annual tax, not just when buying a property. The review identifies commu- nity acceptance as a potential barrier and predicted significant transition impacts in its implementation. Business and housing leaders have made repeat calls for the abolishment of stamp duty, believing it will trigger investment and growth. Included in the tax review options was the suggestion to levy land tax based on the per-square-metre land value. Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said this was a worrying suggestion for regional areas. “My major concern about this is whether this would extend to primary production and farms,” Mr Bell said. “This government just does not realise how tough it is to be a primary producer. “If they are going to levy and tax farmers more for the acreage that they have, well that will be the number one issue for us.” Remaining mindful that the proposals were only part of a discussion paper, Mr Bell said he did support the abolishment or reductions to stamp duty. “Stamp duty is one of the biggest inhibitors to people investing in property,” he said. “It impacts buying and selling property because every time you do, you cop stamp duty.” Mr Bell said changes to payroll tax also needed to be explored to ease the pressure on businesses. The State Government has estimated netting $4.4b in state taxes throughout the 2014/15 period, which is 27pc of its total revenue collection. The largest contributors are payroll tax with $1.14b (26pc) in collections and $886m (20pc) from stamp duty. UP FOR DISCUSSION: Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has outlined his concerns over options canvassed by the State Government as part of its State Tax Review Discussion Paper. “My concern is that the state is so broke it relies on this revenue,” Mr Bell said. “There is no way they are going to get rid of one bit of revenue unless they can supplement it somewhere else. “The problem is finding out who will be the winners and losers.” Premier Weatherill said “nothing is out of bounds” in regards to tax reform, focusing on taxes, levies and concessions. “Our state taxation system offers the means to provide high-quality services that the South Australian community values and that make our state a great place to live and raise a family,” Mr Weatherill said. “But our state taxation system must also assist investment, create new opportunities and encourage business owners to employ more Australians. “Getting this balance right is crucial to the government’s vision to ensure South Australia remains a place where people and business thrive.” Business SA chief executive officer Nigel McBride said inefficient taxes were a barrier to investment in the state. “It appears that the State Government is reluctant to pursue any significant reform of payroll tax, which our members South Stamp duty abolition plan THE Property Council of Australia will advocate for the abolition of stamp duty as part of the State Government’s tax reform initiative. South Australian executive director Daniel Gannon said the council had long campaigned for a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s tax system. “Any tax reform discussion must start with stamp duty - it’s a barrier to investment, growth, economic stimulation, labour mobility and discourages older South Australians from downsizing,” Mr Gannon said. “Stamp duty is a barrier for young people entering the property market.” tell us is a barrier to employing people,” Mr McBride said. “Conveyance duty, primarily stamp duty, does stifle economic activity whereas a broad-based land tax is fairer and a more stable type of tax, however, as with all complex issues such as taxation, the devil is in the detail.” KPMG’s Competitive He said more than half a million South Australians were directly affected through their superannuation funds by the strength or otherwise of the property sector. “The property industry will be an active participant as part of the State Government’s consultation process,” Mr Gannon said. “We need a simple, equitable and fair tax system that encourages investment, increases business attraction and puts South Australia on the economic map. “We need the right tax settings to cultivate an environment that encourages economic growth and job creation.” Alternatives 2014 report found Adelaide to have the lowest total effective tax rate, with conveyance duty having an average excess burden of 60pc. Visit the YourSAy website at www.yoursay.sa.gov.au for more information on the discussion paper or to lodge a submission online. Submissions close April 10. International Women’s Day to focus on art and laughter ART and laughter will be a key focus of International Women’s Day in Mount Gambier next month. The day presents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, while calling for greater equality. Make It Happen is this year’s theme, encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women. Women will celebrate with art and laughter and reflect on the achievements of a local woman who “made it happen”. “We will look at the neglected role of humour in art and have some fun, while enjoying a great fundraising luncheon hosted by Soroptimist International,” the organisation’s Mount Gambier president Margie Russon said. 2 - The Border Watch, Thursday, February 12, 2015 The event will be held at the Attamurra Golf Club with a banquet lunch and entertainment from artist and comedian Julia Clarke and fellow comedians. Julia and her colleagues will appear at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and will travel to Melbourne for the Melbourne Comedy Festival. “We are fortunate that Julia will spend some time in Mount Gambier,” Ms Russon said. Julia will hold a one day workshop at the Old Mount Gambier Gaol incorporating comedy with speed portrait painting. Soroptimist International is committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide. “We are a service organisation for all women who want to make a difference,” Ms Russon said. The luncheon will be held from 11am to 3.30pm on Saturday, March 21. The day will cost $50 per person, including a complimentary drink and lucky door prizes. The art workshop for limited numbers will run from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, March 22, and cost $100 with a materials fee. To book contact Christine Plunkett on 0418 745 409. 4843157 662335
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