Jane Howlett's refusal to correct the record about JobKeeper wage and payroll tax shows she is not only out of her depth but also out of scruples and honesty.
Shadow Minister for Small Business Janie Finlay said Ms Howlett has repeatedly misled Parliament on the issue, creating widespread confusion for small businesses in Tasmania.
"Last Tuesday, Ms Howlett told Parliament three times that JobKeeper payments were exempt from payroll tax. Full stop." Ms Finlay said.
"But this has been refuted in a letter to Labor from a Tasmanian accounting firm.
"It says several clients received unexpected payroll tax bills because JobKeeper was not exempt from payroll tax; rather, the payroll tax liability was proportionately reduced based on the percentage of wages over total wages, providing only a small payroll tax concession.
"Clearly Tasmanian businesses ARE being charged payroll tax on JobKeeper wages, but have been led to expect otherwise by initial government headlines and media coverage.
"The Minister refused to correct the record earlier last week and today, she refused again.
"And Ms Howlett would not disclose when, or why, the form explaining the tax was recently changed.
"At a time when businesses need clarity and certainty from the government, this confusion and the subsequent unexpected liabilities, are placing an unfair burden on our already struggling business sector.
"Even more jaw dropping is the fact Ms Howlett suggested it was Minister Ferguson's job to explain this issue, despite it being her that mislead the Parliament."
Ms Finlay said not only had Minister Howlett failed to correct the record, but she couldn't even answer a simple question about small business.
"Today Minister Howlett failed to answer the simplest of questions regarding her small business portfolio.
"The Minister could not name one expense for a small business, not one single expense.
"This failure to answer shows how out of touch Ms Howlett is, and it is clear that the Minister needs to gain a better understanding of her portfolio, it is vital to Tasmania."
Janie Finlay MP
Shadow Minister for Small Business
