05 September 2008

Tourism amendment to Luxury Car Tax makes sense

The Australian Tourism Export Council today thanked the Senate for exempting tourism operators from the impact of the Luxury Car Tax.

Managing Director Matt Hingerty said ATEC had raised the issue of the unintended consequence of the new law, which in effect penalised tour operators who drove vehicles of eight seats and under.

The current exemption for commercial vehicles relates to vehicles of nine seats and over. Mr Hingerty said that the industry was grateful that the Senate had accepted the industryÃ¢â¬â¢s concerns, and said that he hoped that in future those advising the government on budgetary matters would take the needs of the thousands of small businesses in the tourism sector into account.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœOn behalf of my members and of the broader industry I would particularly like to thank Shadow Tourism minister Steven Ciobo for initially raising this matter in the House,Ã¢â¬~ Mr Hingerty said.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœI would also like to extend a special thank you to Senator Steve Fielding for his robust defence of our position and Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson and his office for always keeping his door open on this matter,Ã¢â¬~ Mr Hingerty said.

A Report By The Mole