2012/2013 WA State Budget
WEST AUSTRALIAN STATE BUDGET 2012/2013
The WA State Government budget delivered today is a solid and stable outcome for the $4 billion per annum hotel and hospitality industry in Western Australia, but more needs to be done investing in tourism marketing to improve the struggling tourism sector.
In the areas of tourism, payroll tax, training, liquor licensing and infrastructure, the Liberal National State Government has delivered a solid and stable budget, with some specific improvements.
Payroll Tax Relief for Small Business
The State Government has committed $128 million towards a payroll tax rebate in the 2012/13 State Budget to help small businesses, announced today.
Treasurer Christian Porter said the small business payroll tax rebate would reduce the tax burden on small businesses.
Small businesses with Australia-wide group payrolls of up to $1.5 million in the 2012/13 financial year would receive a full rebate of their WA payroll tax liabilities, to a maximum value of $41,250.
The rebate will:
- Fully offset the 2012/13 payroll tax liabilities of employers who have Australia-wide group payrolls of up to $1.5 million. This will benefit those businesses by up to $41,250;
- Partially offset the 2012/13 payroll tax liabilities of those who have Australia-wide group payrolls between $1.5 million and $3 million; and
- Be calculated and paid in the first half of the 2013/14 financial year after employers have completed the annual payroll tax reconciliation process. This will ensure the rebate is based on employers’ final 2012/13 payroll tax liabilities, rather than their monthly or quarterly payments during the course of the year (the sum of which will often vary from the final full-year liability for a range of reasons).
Today’s announcement by the Government goes towards recognition of the many pressures small businesses face in a competitive economy.
The Budget also provides payroll tax incentives over the next four years towards the employment of employees with a disability and indigenous employees by small to medium employers.
Training
An additional $99 million over the next two years has been committed for the delivery of training services. More details on this funding will be advised as it is announced over the next week.
Transport and Traffic
- $57 million to expand the capacity of the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel and the Mitchell Freeway;
- $48 million over four years to manage inner city traffic congestion;
- $167 million in 2012/13 on construction works for the Perth Waterfront project.
Tourism
The government has today maintained a steady level of investment for tourism in Western Australia.
We are pleased to see that a planned $6 million cut in tourism spending has now been overturned.
However, the tourism industry in regional Western Australia is experiencing enormous difficulties particularly in non-resource areas and we were expecting a substantial allocation of new money to market tourism.
This budget of $73.3 million is an improvement on the planned budget of $67.8 million but $2.3 million short of last year’s budget.
Go to www.ahawa.asn.au for more detailed information.
Infrastructure
In 2012/13, the Government will spend another $183 million towards the $744 million Perth City Link project to connect the city and Northbridge.
$71 million over three years beginning 2013/14 has been pledged towards the construction of a new $428 million Museum in the Perth Cultural Centre.
Construction of the Perth Major Stadium at Burswood has been allocated $375 million over three years from 2013 14 at Burswood.
Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor
$5.6 million has been provided to the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor to undertake a major upgrade to its current IT licensing system in an attempt to deliver modern, effective and efficient online licensing services
The industry will benefit from the efficiencies provided by the convenience of online accessing the Department’s services, as well as decreasing the complexity and turnaround times for a majority of services.
For more information on the 2012/2013 WA State Budget, click h ere
