Shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing George Souris today re-affirmed a policy at the annual ClubsNSW Conference last Sunday to secure the future of clubs by freezing clubs taxes at the 2005 rate for its first term in Government.
"The improved MOU provides more support for small clubs by raising the tax-free threshold from $200,000 to $1 million," Mr Souris said.
“It also provides a special mechanism to protect the smaller clubs with gaming revenue up to $1.8 million.”
“Under a Liberal/Nationals Coalition Government, Clubs will pay $366 million less in taxes by 2011 than they would under Labor.”
“On September 1st 2006, under Labor the tax rates on Clubs increased again, and there will be another tax increase in September 2007, a sharp contrast to the Coalition’s intended rate freeze as at 1st September 2005.”
"Clubs have had to reduce grants to charities and community bodies including funding to the Starlight Children’s Foundation, CareFlight, Bear Cottage, local and junior sporting groups.”
Mr Souris said the current clubs tax has contributed to the closure of some smaller clubs and the loss of an estimated 2,000 jobs.
Mr Souris said the immediate survival of clubs is important for their members and local communities, but their long-term survival was essential to maintain the revenue stream that subsidises broader community development and service programs.
The comparative tax rates are:
- Figures include GST (9.09%)
- The Coalition rates include a GST rebate on the first $200,000 on all gaming revenue
- The proposed rates also take into account the Clubs’ Community Development and Support Expenditure (CDSE) tax relief, which provides funds community development and service programs