Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Schools payroll tax

Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:09): My question is to the Minister for Education. Yesterday the minister stated that the school tax is totally related to payroll tax, but under the bill, the minister has the power to impose the school tax on the basis of fees and charges and any other financial contribution received by the school. Minister, what does ‘any other financial contribution’ mean?

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:09): Well, we can continue to fearmonger amongst our education system or we can wait until the bill passes and we have –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Eltham is warned.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, without repeating the question, the minister was asked about words that were uttered from her own mouth. I would ask you to bring the minister back to the question.

The SPEAKER: The minister had only just begun her answer. The minister to continue. There is no point of order.

Natalie HUTCHINS: Just to emphasise again, this is an application that will not affect 85 per cent of non-government schools. We will be drawing a line in the sand between those low fee paying non-government schools and the wealthiest private schools in this state. Those opposite want to continue to harp on about that and misinform and fearmonger –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, with respect, this question, without repeating it, related to whether other fees and charges would be included as part of this tax. It was a very specific and direct –

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, I ask you to come back to the question.

Natalie HUTCHINS: Once this bill has passed through the house I will be working with the Treasurer, and we will be including the sector. We will be at the table talking about this and working through it with the sector. But make no mistake about it: this is about equality. Our government schools pay this payroll tax, and the time has come for this to now extend into the wealthiest schools in this state.

Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:11): The minister has the power to impose the school tax having regard to any other matter the minister considers appropriate. Will the minister rule out land and assets owned as being any other matter she considers appropriate?

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:12): As I have already indicated to the house, I will continue to work through this bill, once it is passed, with the Treasurer, and we will be clarifying that.