By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
VECCI is calling for rationalisation of the State tax system, with one option being to allow payroll tax, land tax, WorkCover and motor vehicle registration payments to be made on one single payment form, reducing red tape for business.
1 Comment | 
Economy, Politics | Tagged: Baillieu Government, red tape, small business, Victoria, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | 
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By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
Employers, truckers and farmers have united to fight an export and shopping tax that has not yet been ruled out by the Baillieu Government.
Victoria’s small business exporters are doing it tough already with the floods, a higher Australian dollar, higher energy and water prices, and a looming carbon tax.
In the face of this, the Baillieu Government has not ruled out introducing an export and import container tax at our main international trade hub, the Port of Melbourne.
This tax will simultaneously hurt Victoria’s international trade competitiveness and jack up grocery and essential goods prices for Victorian consumers, as well as prices of imported inputs for Victorian manufacturers and builders.
4 Comments | Economy, Politics | Tagged: Baillieu Government, Freight Infrastructure Charge, Port of Melbourne, State Budget, VECCI, Victorian Farmers Federation, Victorian Transport Association, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | Permalink
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By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
Whatever the outcome of the debate in Canberra, Victoria’s transition to a lower carbon economy will be smoother if industries receive support from the State Government, starting with its first State Budget in May.
Comments Off | Economy, Environment, Politics | Tagged: Baillieu Government, carbon tax, electricity, State Budget, sustainability, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | Permalink
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By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
With Victoria’s traditional competitor, New South Wales, now having a new government, it’s vital the State Government uses its first Budget to deliver tax reform to improve Victoria’s business competitiveness.
2 Comments | Politics | Tagged: Freight Infrastructure Charge, land tax, New South Wales, payroll tax, State Budget, tax reform, Victoria, Wayne Kayler-Thomson, WorkCover | Permalink
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By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
VECCI is calling on the new State Government to use its first State Budget to develop an Infrastructure Plan, prioritising projects that will help drive economic development and improve liveability.
1 Comment | Infrastructure, Politics | Tagged: Baillieu Government, Infrastructure, State Budget, Victoria, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | Permalink
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By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
Melbourne’s title as Australia’s ‘Events Capital’ is set to come under sustained threat from New South Wales as that State welcomes its newly elected Government.
A new Government in New South Wales will be energised to try and poach Victoria’s world class events and we urge the new Victorian Government to use its first State Budget to ensure this does not happen.
Comments Off | Politics, Tourism | Tagged: events, Melbourne events, New South Wales, State Budget, Ted Baillieu, Victoria, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | Permalink
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By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
Victoria faces many challenges, including adapting to world expectations on climate change while maintaining our low-cost energy advantage, tackling skills shortages, keeping up with low-cost overseas competitors and accommodating a growing population.
At the same time, Victoria has a great many natural and man-made advantages it needs to press home.
2 Comments | Economy | Tagged: agribusiness, arts, Economy, Infrastructure, population, Skills, sports, sustainability, Victoria, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | Permalink
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By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
It is said that uncertainty is the killer in business.
The Labor Government’s gyrations on the issue of a carbon price has provided such uncertainty in spades.
1 Comment | Economy, Environment | Tagged: carbon emissions, carbon tax, climate change, coal industry, Julia Gillard, natural gas, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | Permalink
Posted by The Editor
By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
The announcement from the Federal Government that it plans to introduce a carbon price from 1 July 2012 means there is a lot of work to be done to allay the concerns of business.
7 Comments | Economy, Environment | Tagged: carbon emissions, carbon tax, Gillard Government, Greens, small business, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | Permalink
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By Wayne Kayler-Thomson
The State Government’s move to overturn a ban on Easter Sunday trading will boost the general Victorian economy and a retail industry struggling with unfavourable economic conditions and damage caused by recent flooding.
12 Comments | Economy | Tagged: Baillieu Government, Easter trading, retail sector, Wayne Kayler-Thomson | Permalink
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