Felicity Caldwell reports in the Brisbane Times (20.7.17) on the release of the Queensland Productivity Commission’s draft report from its inquiry into the state’s manufacturing sector. A link to the report, and to the QPC’s invitation for public submissions, can be found below.
‘The Queensland government should reform the state’s tax system to create a more competitive business environment, according to a report.
‘It is among 10 recommendations in the Queensland Productivity Commission’s draft report into the state’s manufacturing sector, due to be released on Thursday.
‘Queensland relies on payroll tax, transfer duties, insurance taxes, gambling duties and land tax on the unimproved value of land.
‘The commission said competition between states led to complex tax structures that could “create distortions”, leading to people making decisions that take advantage of concessions.
‘… The government could lift the pool of manufacturing workers with the right skills by restructuring Vocational Education and Training, improving incentives, optimising funding and minimising compliance costs on businesses, the commission said.
‘Other recommendations included measures to make it easier for businesses to relocate to Queensland, avoiding further pressure on energy prices and removing impediments to procurement and labour mobility.’
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