Get rid of it altogether
I SUGGEST that the Tasmanian government aims to eliminate property transfer (conveyance) duty; not just create partial exemptions from or exceptions to it.
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Apart from increasing flexibility and efficiency in the property market by making it easier for people at various life stages to be housed appropriately (whether upsizing, downsizing or making lifestyle choices or moving closer to loved ones, employment opportunities, health or care facilities, etc.), the abolition of the property transfer duty would help achieve other goals.
Definitions of the actual unemployment rate that constitutes "effective full employment" used by economic authorities such as the Reserve Bank of Australia may be able to be lowered if the stamp duty barrier to the movement of sections of the labour force is removed with benefits for people's livelihoods plus potentially greater income (or similar) tax revenue and reduced support payments.
More creative opportunities to help struggling home buyers become possible if property transfer duty is removed and this could be really important in times of economic downturn.
Note that the goods and services tax does not generally apply to the sale of second-hand goods, yet someone considered it appropriate to levy property transfer duty on "second hand" real estate.
Is that really logically consistent or sensible?
Conveyance duty on property transfers was estimated to be a significant annual $245m over future years in the 2019-2020 Tasmanian Budget.
Actual revenue may differ from estimates.
Ideally, taxation reform would be comprehensive rather than partial, however, property transfer duty rankles and is not one of the best forms of taxation available in the country.
Apart from changing their taxation mix, state governments may need to adopt a co-operative and collaborative approach with the Australian government (due to its different taxing powers) to make the complete removal of state property transfer duty a reality.
Mark Webb, Launceston.
'Strict and ethical controls needed'
AUSTRAC's investigation into possible money laundering at Crown evokes memories of planning Australia's first casino at Wrest Point.
Casinos have three potential avenues for corruption: skimming (falsifying turnover to reduce tax), collusion (croupiers favouring some players), and laundering (using casinos to mask illegally obtained funds).
Wrest Point devised rigorous procedures to guard against each of these practices.
For 47 years, Tasmanian casinos have kept a clean record. For former executives Gavin Durbin (AUSTRAC) and James Packer (Crown) to claim casinos are vulnerable to criminal infiltration (ABC News, October 19) is disingenuous. Tasmania's casinos demonstrate that dishonest gaming occurs only when management allows it.
This state is fortunate that its commercial gaming is administered by the Farrell family who have demonstrated that transparent and honest gaming is possible if strict and ethical controls are maintained. The government should keep this in mind when it considers changes to gaming licences.
Graeme Tonks, Norwood.
Rest facilities for elderly
MANY times shopping at the supermarkets I have seen elderly people struggling to push their heavy shopping trolley around the supermarket with great effort. The supermarkets need rest areas or coffee lounges within the supermarkets to give most people especially the elderly a rest during shopping.
Wayne Wells, Longford.
We are being silently invaded
I DESPAIR for the dilution of what it means to be Australian.
Why are we being silently invaded?
Senator Eric Abetz and Andrew Hastie are well aware of the silent invasion occurring.
As is Professor Clive Hamilton from Charles Sturt University who wrote Silent Invasion. The CCP has very silently but purposely set out to take over Australia.
Just over 200 years ago the British gave us democracy. The CCP aims to take that away by stealth. Ask the Tibetans, the Falun Gong and Uighurs here. They know.
Chinese-Aussies also know, except a powerful dictatorial regime knows how to influence many here if nothing else with the threat of withdrawing visas for them and/or their family. How we influence our wonderful Chinese-Aussies towards our culture instead is a challenge, but it seems like the CCP with tentacles into political power at high levels on both sides, we have a massive challenge on our hands. This superb book by Professor Hamilton forensically describes what has happened to our wonderful country. Senator Abetz and Mr Hastie are simply articulating what the oppressed well know, the CCP has cunningly created the conditions for many compliant sympathisers here wanting to change Australia forever. Where do their loyalties and allegiance lie?
The ABC seems to be helping them.
Tony Griggs, Palana.
Legana Primary School site idea
I WOULD like the state government and West Tamar Council to consider a synthetic lawn bowls green at the new Legana Primary School site (The Examiner, October 24). This facility would be of benefit to the whole West Tamar region, providing a healthy, social activity for all ages and abilities to enjoy. My chosen sport of 30 years is quite unique in this regard.