Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Taxation

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:36): (980) My question is again to the Treasurer. Treasurer, I refer to the process to discuss national productivity instituted by Commonwealth Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and it is my understanding that Victoria will participate. I therefore ask the minister to confirm that Victoria will participate. But equally, are you open to new taxes or do you rule out new taxes as part of that process?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:36): Mr Davis, first of all, you have asked me to talk to you about a process that is not my process; it is a national process. In relation to my involvement, I am working with the Premier and other ministers in relation to feeding in some of the ideas from Victoria, and I think I could refer you to a paper and an opinion piece from the Premier in relation to this.

This coming Friday is the Board of Treasurers online meeting, which will be a good time, a good opportunity, for treasurers from around the states. BOTs, the Board of Treasurers, is our state get-together without the federal minister. We will again meet, before the productivity roundtable, as a group of treasurers, and I understand we are also planning to have a CFFR, which involves the federal Treasurer, to again talk about some of the issues that will be relevant for the productivity roundtable that is being conducted by the federal government. I am not quite sure how you expect me to respond to proposals that are going to be put by the federal government that have not yet been formed. I think hopefully I have given you a bit of –

David Davis interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: I have been very transparent. I cannot rule out federal government taxes, Mr Davis, but you asked about a process. You asked about my involvement, and I think I have given you a pretty clear indication of some of the work I have been doing.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:38): Let me be very specific then. I will ask the Treasurer about a state matter. I ask: will you rule out the widening of the GST to include private schools?

The PRESIDENT: I had a concern with the substantive question being a hypothetical around a forum organised by the federal government and hypothetically what might happen at it. I appreciate that the minister answered –

David Davis: On a point of order, President, it is a very simple question: as part of this process, will the minister rule out supporting a widening of the GST to hit private schools?

Ryan Batchelor: On the point of order, President, on Mr Davis’s attempt to dig himself out of the enormous hole he has put himself in, it is not within the Victorian Treasurer’s responsibilities, the Commonwealth act of the federal Parliament which would be required to amend the GST. It is wholly outside the scope of something that the Victorian Treasurer has administrative responsibility for. He should know better.

David Davis: Further to the point of order, President, GST legislation requires the agreement of the states.

Renee Heath: On a point of order, President, I do not know if it is a backbencher’s role to attempt to answer a minister’s question.

The PRESIDENT: I will start with the last point of order. Everyone has a right to call a point of order – Mr Batchelor exercised his right – no matter where you are in the chamber. As I said, the substantive question was hypothetical. I think Mr Batchelor’s point around whether this is the responsibility of the Victorian Treasurer is a good point of order, but I think that the Treasurer should have the opportunity to answer the question as she sees fit.

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:41): Mr Davis, I was pleased to try and assist in providing information to respond to a question that really – I feel a bit sorry for you actually, so I am trying to help. I offered some information about the process I have been following. You have asked me quite a ridiculous question that I think has been articulated well by Mr Batchelor. But perhaps this might help: the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out increases to the goods and services tax. They are going to champion small businesses and a private sector productivity boost.

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: Please do not make me respond to this. It is going to make you look really, really silly. If the federal government have ruled out increases – I think I should just leave it there.