Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Schools payroll tax

Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:14): My question is to the Minister for Education. In addition to the school tax, will schools also be liable to pay the mental health and wellbeing levy?

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:15): I am extremely proud that this government is the only government in the country that is investing in every single secondary and primary school in the mental health space. Every single secondary and primary school across this state is getting access to funding. The $200 million that is flowing into our mental health fund in our schools is a phenomenal commitment –

Jess Wilson: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question is very clear. Not to repeat the question, but it is about the levy on schools in relation to payroll tax.

The SPEAKER: The minister was being relevant to the question that was asked. I cannot direct the minister how to exactly answer the question.

James Newbury: On the point of order, Speaker, standing order 58 does require a minister to be direct in their answer – clearly to be direct – and with respect, I would say that the minister has not at all been direct in relation to their answer.

The SPEAKER: The minister was being relevant to the question that was asked. I ruled on the point of order.

Natalie HUTCHINS: Can I take the opportunity to thank our mental health specialists that are working across our secondary schools, who are doing a fantastic job in really challenging times – the most challenging times we have seen in our schools for a long time.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Eltham can leave the chamber for 1 hour.

Member for Eltham withdrew from chamber.

Cindy McLeish: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this is question time. The minister gets to answer our questions. She does not get to spruik whatever it is that she wants to spruik. We have a very direct question, and she has failed to answer it.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Eildon has been here long enough to know that that is not a point of order.

Natalie HUTCHINS: I am not the Treasurer. He is sitting here. He can probably take specific questions about the mental health tax, but what I can say is my knowledge of the mental health tax is that it applies to the top 5 per cent of companies in this state. If any school falls into that category, then possibly they may have to pay it, but that question is probably best delivered –

Members interjecting.

Natalie HUTCHINS: They are not going to fall into that category.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! When a question is asked I expect that people want to hear the answer. The minister was concluding her answer.

Natalie HUTCHINS: I am unaware of any of our schools actually qualifying for a $10 million payroll, but certainly our commitment to mental health is absolutely undeniable. We have taken the recommendations from the mental health royal commission, and we are prioritising those areas in our schools across our state to make sure that kids get what they need, the support and the wraparound services to ensure that they are getting great educational outcomes, are engaged and are happy.

Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:18): In addition to the school tax, will the schools also be liable to pay the COVID debt levy?

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:19): That is clearly a matter for the Treasurer, and they should refer this question to him.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Manager of Opposition Business will not call the Speaker. The Speaker will call the Manager of Opposition Business. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, whether schools pay an additional tax is entirely within the remit of the Minister for Education.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded her answer.