Article – Truss Quizzed on Tax

1 December 2013
Jasmine Barber
The North West Star
DOWN TO BUSINESS: Mount Isa mayor Tony McGrady met  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Warren Truss and MITEZ president David Glasson on Friday to discuss the North West's tax zone allowance.
 
 
 
 

 
REFORMING the tax zone allowance for residents of the North West was one of many burning topics discussed when Mount Isa mayor Tony McGrady met  Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss in Townsville on Friday.
Cr McGrady led a discussion on the issue, and said zone allowances should be high priority for the federal government’s forthcoming White Paper on Northern Development.
Cr McGrady said Mr Truss voiced his support for the inclusion of the zone allowance issue  in the paper.
“His reply was that a zone allowance should be included and discussed as part of the white paper,” Cr McGrady  said. “I must say that he was honest and said there were always winners and losers…but it certainly is a ray of hope.”
He said an increase of the allowance would benefit the region by attracting people and encouraging  existing residents to stay and contribute to the region.
Cr McGrady said he was happy to receive support from Mr Truss.
“It certainly is encouraging to hear the second-highest level in the nation recognises this is an issue,” he said.
Mr Truss also acknowledged that government support was required to ramp up infrastructure if the White Paper was to be a sustainable success.
“No doubt infrastructure is important to underpin the growth and development we want in Northern Australia, and there will need to be investment in roads, rail, dams and so many other things that we need to have to support a larger population,” he said.
Courtesy of the North West Star