WA Greens Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region, Robin Chapple MLC, today called for Zone Tax Rebate reform.
“This rebate has languished in successive government’s ‘too-hard’ baskets for decades – while the mining boom has dramatically altered the social and economic profile in my electorate.
“When introduced after World War II, the zone allowance was a lump sum of $80 a year, equivalent to around 10 times the average weekly wage. In 1975 the allowance was converted to a rebate, but has remained unchanged since 1994 – so that at $338 it now equates to just a quarter of the average weekly wage.
“We are now in a radically different world from when this rebate was last modified, nearly twenty years ago.
“Large numbers of workers now adopt the FIFO model, and yet still draw the same rebate as permanent residents.
“The cost of living is far greater in remote regions – and there is huge difficulty in just getting access to basic services.
“Even Mr Haase, the Member for Durack, as a result of listening to the evidence at the recent FIFO inquiry, has now come around to supporting my view that the Zone Tax Rebate needs urgent restructuring.
“If we wish to stabilize and enhance communities, encourage teachers, medical professionals and extended family networks, and turn the regions into viable places to live and retire in, a rebate restructure is a crucial step.
For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255
