Article by Sarah-Jane Tasker courtesy of the West Australian
West Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart will today call for a “mini G20” for the agriculture sector as she also leans on the State Government to cut licence fees.
Ms Rinehart will use her address at the Pastoralists and Graziers Association’s forum in Perth today to launch the idea of the “mini G20”, which she said would be an invitation-only event for owners, chairmen, chief executives and industry experts from across the sector.
She said an annual statement of key points could be released at the end of each session. “I’d suggest as a priority, significant tax and red tape cuts are included in such key points,” Ms Rinehart said.
“We should prioritise our ‘to be cut’ list, pointing out specifically which government tape should go first and I’d suggest including the unnecessary shortage of good water in this country.”
Ms Rinehart, pictured, noted that Premier Mark McGowan had announced cuts to payroll tax for small-to-medium businesses and stamp duty Statewide.
“It’s not easy as Premier to drive tax cuts but let’s encourage him to be on a positive effective roll here and cut licence fees too,” she said. “Agriculture needs help to kickstart after four years of massive drought.
“Licence fees, payroll tax and stamp duties simply don’t help one of West Australia’s most important industries, or those who work in it.
“We are a proud industry and handouts are not natural for us, even in tough times. But this is a very serious record drought.”
