Tasmanian Business Reporter May 2019

MAY 2019

T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 12,000 M O N T H LY

Budget pledge

While the Northern real estate market

has improved, prices are lower than

Hobart sales, generating less stamp

duty.

State spending to

defy loss of GST,

stamp duty

S TAT E

BUDGET

BRIEFING

By TOM O’MEARA

SIGNIFICANT decreases in

stamp duty and GST payments

will challenge Tasmania’s Budget

position but record spending

will continue in health, education,

housing and infrastructure.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein is

preparing to hand down his

2019 Budget on May 23 and is

expected to remain in surplus,

despite admitting there will

be significant challenges over

the coming four to five years.

Infrastructure development,

including the bold 30-year infrastructure

plan essential for

forward planning, will be a highlight

of this year’s document.

Last year the Treasurer announced

a record $2.6 billion

spend on community infrastructure

over four years.

Roads and bridges were to

receive $1.1 billion, hospitals

and health got $475 million, human

services and housing was

promised $205 million while

schools and education spending

was worth $192.2 million.

The rollout of that significant infrastructure

spending will continue

in this Budget with the essential

$650 million redevelopment of the

Royal Hobart Hospital completed

this year and work still under way

at Launceston General Hospital.

There is no expectation that the

Government will budge on its current

wage offer to the Public Sector.

Mr Gutwein will be stymied

by GST receipt reductions

and a drop in stamp duty.

In a nutshell, the pool of the

national GST is decreasing

by an anticipated $11 billion.

Mr Gutwein said there would

be a $280 million write down in

Tasmania over the next four years

from the decreasing GST pool.

It’s important to note that this

decrease is not in any way related

to a new GST agreement which

will come into play in 2021.

It was agreed that Tasmania

won’t lose a cent when the GST

formula will be altered slowly

across six years to target a standard

that removes the peaks and

troughs created by economic

shocks, such as the mining boom.

Mr Gutwein will also write

down $280 million of stamp

duty over the next four years.

Continued page 2

FRIDAY 24 MAY ▼ HOBART

▼ LAUNCESTON ▼ DEVONPORT

PRESENTED BY TREASURER

PETER GUTWEIN MP

BOOK NOW

tcci.com.au 1300 559 122

T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 12,000 M O N T H LY

2 Tasmanian Business Reporter - MAY 2019

NEWS

Airport clear for takeoff

INTERNATIONAL processing

facilities will

form part of a major expansion

project that will

double the size of Hobart

Airport over the next decade.

Stage one of the project,

due for completion by

December 2020, will cost

about $100 million.

The increased footprint

is in response to the busiest

year experienced at

the facility, with more

than 2.6 million passengers

passing through the

terminal.

Hobart Airport CEO

Sarah Renner said the

Terminal Expansion Project

would be completed

in three stages.

The initial stage involves

the expansion of

the existing departures

lounge and facilities,

improved airline lounges,

enhanced passenger

screening facilities,

and the construction of

a swing lounge concept,

capable of providing for

international processing

facilities.

“A mezzanine level

will be constructed at the

southern end of the terminal

and will house the

airline lounges and border

agency support facilities,”

Ms Renner said.

“The final two stages

are expected to start on

completion of Stage 1

and will be progressively

completed by 2030.

These stages will deliver

increased baggage

processing facilities and

further retail and food and

beverage offerings.

“This is an exciting time

for our airport and Tasmania

and we are proud of the

role we play in connecting

our locals to communities

across the globe.”

More than four million

passengers are expected to

pass through the airport by

2030.

Public consultation will

be open until June 10.

For more information

about community consultation

sessions or to

make a submission visit

https://development.

hobartairport.com.au.

Hobart Airport is due to double in the next decade.

Tender

call for

plan

portal

TENDERS have been

called for a new $9 million

Planning and Building

Portal to streamline

development in Tasmania.

The online portal is

set to deliver a single

statewide system that

integrates all planning,

building and related approvals,

incorporating

features including online

application lodgement

The project, designed

to save time and resources

for anyone involved

in the building and construction

industry, is due

for completion by 2021.

Tenders close on May

29. All enquiries should

be directed to the Planning

and Building Portal

Project Manager, Robert

Calandra on (03) 6166

4650 or email: robert.

calandra@justice.tas.

gov.au

T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 12,000 M O N T H LY

e dition

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T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 12,000 M O N T H LY

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Budget surplus pledge

From page 1

The volume of real

estate sales in Hobart

has decreased and while

the Northern real estate

market has improved

significantly, prices

paid in the north are

much lower than the

Hobart sales, which

means less stamp duty.

Mainland states of

NSW and Victoria

have experienced massive

drop for real estate

prices - it has hit

hard because both had

previously used their

stamp duty funds for a

champagne approach to

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massive infrastructure

spending and Public

Sector wage increases.

Mr Gutwein has

shared information with

the Tasmanian Business

Reporter from Victorian

Treasurer Tim Pallas,

who has warned

that his state was facing

a $2.4 billion writedown

in stamp duty.

Last year the Victorian

Government was upbeat

in its revenue forecasts

predicting $7 billion in

stamp duty flowing into

the Treasury coffers.

Mr Pallas should be

prepared for “a Budget

of hard choice”

Your Partner

in Print.

www.footandplaysted.com.au

Now incorporating

THE CRAFT LIVES ON.

and has already put

an initial 2 per cent

on the table as he begins

negotiating Public

Sector agreements.

Tasmania is already

on a 2 per

cent wage increase.

Mr Gutwein said

the bright light is Tasmania’s

strong export

income in all sectors.

“Except for the stamp

duty, all other incomes

are positive and some

of exports are returning

record figures,”

Mr Gutwein said.

New data shows

Tasmania’s economy

is the equal third

strongest in the nation,

news that’s expected

to assist with a surplus

Budget position across

the Forward Estimates.

“The budget is

still in a good place

and remember that

the Budget is not the

economy and the economy

is not the Budget.”

The Treasurer certainly

has challenges

and costs will be under

the microscope but the

priority is to continue

supporting development

opportunities and exports

to cover the total

$580 million write down

over the next four years.

Tasmanian Business Reporter - MAY 2019 3

NEWS

Blue economy boost

TCCI calls

for project

assurance

A $329m research

partnership will be

based in Tasmania to

transform Australia’s

blue economy and

generate more than $4

billion for the national

economy.

The University

of Tasmania will

lead the largest ever

Cooperative Research

Centre, bringing

together expertise in

seafood, renewable

energy and offshore

engineering.

Industry, Science and

Technology Minister

Karen Andrews said the Blue

Economy CRC aimed to drive

an evolution in marine- based

industries.

The project is a 10-year

collaboration between 45 national

and international partners

from industry, research and

government, underpinned by a

$70 million cash investment from

the Federal Government.

The Tasmanian Government is

also a supporting partner.

Vice-Chancellor Professor

Rufus Black said the project

would build on our distinctive

strengths in aquaculture and

marine ecology, offshore

engineering and marine renewable

energy.

“This is big, blue sky thinking

fused with practical, impactful

research to answer one of our

planet’s most critical questions:

how can we sustainably feed and

power ourselves from the world’s

oceans,” Professor Black said.

“The Blue Economy CRC

imagines a future where

integrated seafood and renewable

energy production systems

operate offshore and where the

community and industry have

confidence they are safe, reliable,

efficient and environmentally

responsible.

“This work will leave a

compelling legacy of highimpact

research, a competitive

advantage for Australian industry,

and innovation, collaboration and

leadership on a global scale.”

The Blue Economy CRC

head office will be hosted at

the University of Tasmania’s

Launceston campus, supporting a

Blue Economy

CRC Research

Director, Australian

Maritime College

Associate

Professor Irene

Penesis, left, with

Industry, Science

and Technology

Minister Karen

Andrews and

Institute for Marine

and Antarctic

Studies Professor

Stewart Frusher.

research community of 50 PhD

students and 50 postdoctoral

research fellows throughout

Tasmania and with partner

organisations nationally and

internationally.

Blue Economy CRC Research

Director, Australian Maritime

College Associate Professor Irene

Penesis said the program was

unique.

“Australia has the world’s third

largest exclusive economic zone

and is positioned adjacent to the

largest markets for seafood and

energy,” Associate Professor

Penesis said.

“But with over 80 per cent

classified as offshore, industries

must be enabled to move from

the coast zone into more exposed

operating environments before we

can secure this opportunity.”

By TOM

O’MEARA

THE TCCI is lobbying

political parties to ensure

major projects such as the

second Bass Strait electricity

link and freight

equalisation scheme are

locked in before the May

18 Federal election.

Tasmania is enjoying

unprecedented growth

and the TCCI board has

agreed on six significant

projects and policies to

retain the confidence of

the business sector.

TCCI Chairman Susan

Parr said it was imperative

for both Labor and

the Liberal/National parties

to show support for

Tasmania.

At a time when construction

is receding

across Australia, Tasmania

has enjoyed the highest

growth rate but policy

ahead of polling day was

needed to support future

development, Ms Parr

said.

The TCCI’s priority

areas for political focus

in the last weeks of campaigning

revolve around

retaining agreed assistance

and infrastructure

projects to continue job

creation.

Project Marinus, a second

Bass Strait electricity

interconnector, would

play a major role to meet

the growing energy needs

across the country, Ms

Parr said.

“The second link will

provide environmentally

sustainable and economically

viable Hydro electricity,”

she said.

“It is critical that generation

via Hydro electricity

and pumped Hydro

is maximised to support

a stable and reliable system.”

TCCI chair Susan

Parr.

While the Coalition

has committed $56 million

for feasibility assessments

for Marinus Link

and pumped Hydro cost

modelling, the TCCI is

pushing for support from

all parties.

They must understand

that the project is of national

importance, connecting

mainland Australia

to low cost, secure,

reliable and clean energy.

“During the last very

hot summer more than

200,000 homes in Victoria

were without power

because the system failed

and energy wasn’t available,”

Ms Parr said.

The Tasmanian Freight

Equalisation Scheme is

also high on the list with

aspects of the agreement

due for review by the Productivity

Commission.

“History shows the

Commission is not a great

supporter of the TFES

and recommended the

closure of the scheme before

the Coalition Government

agreed to keep

it in perpetuity,” she said.

“The TFES has been

a lifeline for Tasmanian

businesses since 1975

providing financial assistance

for shipping costs

from Tasmania to the

mainland.”

Tasmania exported

a record $3.8 billion in

goods and produce in the

year to February 2019

and any change in the

program would negatively

impact this stunning result,

she said.

Ms Parr confirmed the

TCCI was also prepared

to take on a contentious

decision to create a twowage

agreement with

higher payments to Sydney

and Melbourne compared

to Tasmania and regional

businesses around

the nation.

“The cost of living in

Melbourne and Sydney

is significantly more than

most parts of Tasmania

particularly when you

consider wage increases

for Scottsdale and Smithton

equal to Melbourne

and Sydney,” she said.

“Regional chambers

around Australia are supporting

the change.”

Uni plans Hobart city campus

A MASTER plan and

building design will be

developed for a new

$600 million Hobart city

campus of the University

of Tasmania.

The University Council

has agreed to the total

move from its Sandy Bay

roots to facilitate a more

modern campus in the

CBD over the next 10 to

15 years.

The new development

will run from the original

home of the University at

the Domain along Melville

St.

The campus will be

anchored with a central

library and public square

– the heart of the University

– on the former Web-

K&D Hobart

ster building and carpark.

University Chancellor

Michael Field said the

long-term strategic direction

would build on and

consolidate on its recent

move of some facilities

into the city.

“This will be a long,

thorough and deliberative

process,” Mr Field

said. “We will consult

carefully along the way

to produce a campus

which is a source of great

pride for our University

community and the people

of greater Hobart.”

He said the university

would act as steward for

the existing Sandy Bay

campus land into the future.

The entity would be responsible

for managing

the existing campus land

“in line with institutional

values and mindful of the

amenity of Sandy Bay

and Taroona”.

The university said it

would make a compact

with the City of Hobart

to deliver the equivalent

(or more) of the general

rate on its inner-city

buildings for the next decade.

The university has

also recently purchased

the K&D site to develop

student accommodation,

adding capacity to the

existing 446-bed Hobart

City Apartments (at the

corner of Elizabeth and

Melville streets) and a

second 420-bed complex

being built adjacent

those, due for completion

at the start of 2021.

T A S M A N I A’ S L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N . C I R C U L A T I O N 12,000 M O N T H LY

4 Tasmanian Business Reporter - MAY 2019

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Marinus tops

wishlist for

election 2019

www.tcci.com.au

Growing Vietnam market

on the Aussie trade radar

Michael

Bailey

TCCI Chief Executive

THE federal election has

finally been called for

May 18.

Some are already complaining

about election

campaign overload, as the

major parties have been

on the “trail” for some

time, waiting for Prime

Minister Scott Morrison

to visit the Governor General.

In general terms, the

Coalition Government

will campaign on its economic

record and whether

Labor can be trusted on

the Treasury benches.

Labor will campaign

on its new policies around

franking credits, negative

gearing, wealth and

capital gains taxes to

raise funds for hospitals,

schools and other public

benefits.

The Liberal-National

Government will also

have concerns about the

long-term effects of axing

former prime minister

Malcolm Turnbull, via

Peter Dutton’s failed challenge.

As well, the Government

will lose key

members – Julie Bishop,

Christopher Pyne, Kelly

O’Dwyer among them.

The polls still point to

a Labor victory, although

Mr Morrison remains the

preferred PM over Labor

Leader Bill Shorten.

The election will also

be fought on several local

fronts, state by state,

with the Liberals seeking

to shore up seats in

Queensland and Victoria.

Already, Braddon on

the North West Coast

has seen multiple visits

by Federal politicians of

each hue, as the Liberals’

Gavin Pearce comes up

against sitting member

Justine Keay.

In Bass, Labor’s sitting

member Ross Hart will be

up against popular George

Town Mayor Bridget Archer.

Again, the polls would

indicate that Andrew

Wilkie (independent,

Clarke/Denison), Julie

Collins (Labor, Franklin)

and Brian Mitchell (Labor,

Lyons) appear safe.

As we do for every

election, state or federal,

the TCCI has put together

a wishlist which will

we prosecute across the

board with both major

parties.

Wishlist 2019

1 Marinus Project. For

the TCCI, this is the project

that will guarantee Tasmania’s

long-term energy production,

economic development

and overall future

for the next 20-50 years.

When completed Marinus

will connect Tasmania

and the mainland via a second

interconnector allowing

Hydro Tasmania’s major

“pumped hydro” plans

to proceed.

That, alongside the existing

hydro-electric generation

system, will provide

thousands of jobs and billions

of dollars of investment.

2 GST Support. We

have recently seen how

certain states can make

calls on the Federal Government

to boost their GST

revenue at the expense of

Tasmania.

We remain the state, unfortunately,

with the most

people per capita on federal

and state welfare benefits.

We need Liberal and

Labor to guarantee Tasmania’s

GST share forever.

3 Freight Equalisation

Scheme. The TCCI wants

this scheme to be maintained

and guaranteed by

both parties.

It is the key to Tasmania’s

export industries,

both to the mainland and

internationally.

4 Workplace Productivity.

The TCCI wants

both major parties to develop

and deliver policies

to increase productivity

and participation for regional

Australia and Tasmania.

We also want them to

ensure their policies enable

wages are affordable

in regional Australia and

Tasmania.

I AM writing this

column from Vietnam

where half the

population of more than

93 million people own

scooters

In Ho Chi Minh City

(the locals still refer

to it as Saigon) they

account for 37 per cent of the air

pollution.

Crossing the street is an art

and not one for the faint-hearted.

The country has experienced

an average GDP growth of six

per cent over the last 20 years

and is projected to grow by 6.8

per cent in 2019.

Certainly a market close to

Australia to keep on the radar.

Domestic demand is in part

driving growth with, like other

Asian economies, a growing

middle class. The median age

is 30.

Opportunities exist in the

agribusiness, food and beverage,

aviation and aerospace, defence,

Scooters are the prefered mode of transport throughout Vietnam.

Sally

Chandler

Tradestart Adviser

health care, mining, oil and gas,

ICT, energy, transport and water

management sectors.

Vietnam is covered by two

Free Trade Agreements with

Australia, the ASEAN Australia-

New Zealand Free Trade

Agreement (AANZFTA) and the

Comprehensive and Progressive

Agreement for Trans-Pacific

Partnership (CPTPP).

Australia’s major exports

to Vietnam include coal,

cotton, wheat, iron ores and

concentrates.

Australia’s major imports

from Vietnam include telecom

equipment and parts, crude

petroleum, footwear, and

monitors, projectors

and televisions.

Australia ranks 12th

on Vietnam’s principal

import sources.

From Tasmania,

major exports to

Vietnam are currently

zinc and associated

products, aluminium and

associated products, abalone

(where most would find their

way to China) and cherries.

Vietnam has a long coastline

to the South China Sea. Its land

borders are with Cambodia,

China and Laos.

I am benefiting very much

from my time in Vietnam with

Austrade, attending the Food and

Hotel Vietnam trade show and

researching sales opportunities

for Tasmanian goods and

services with Austrade’s

Business Development Managers

in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

I will report further in the June

issue of TBR.

For international trade and investment assistance contact the TCCI’s TradeStart Adviser, Sally

Chandler, at sally.chandler@tcci.com.au or phone 1300 559 122.

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Tasmanian Business Reporter - MAY 2019 5

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

www.tcci.com.au

Watch out for lurking winter lurgies

IF THE recent weather is

anything to go by we are

starting once again to get

into cold and flu season

which means of course

the precarious issue of

staff being ill.

The TCCI often gets

questions about personal

leave and what employers

can and can’t ask for.

As set out in the Fair

Work Act 2009 s107 employees

have notice and

evidence requirements

they must adhere to on

personal leave being:

Abbey

George

Workplace Relations

• giving the employer

notice of the leave

as soon as practicable

(which may be a time after

the leave has started);

• advising the employer

of the period, or

expected period, of the

leave; and

• if requested, provide

the employer evidence

that would satisfy a reasonable

person.

What evidence this is

will depend on each particular

circumstance, for

The TCCI often gets

questions about personal

leave and what employers

can and can’t ask for.

example:

• is it before/after a

weekend, leave etc?

• Is there a history of

the taking of personal

leave?

• Are there policies or

procedures or an Enterprise

Agreement in place

that addresses when evidence

is required and

what form it takes?

• What is the common

practice? For example

in the past has any leave

greater than two consecutive

days required evidence?

• Are statutory declarations

generally accepted

or do you only accept

medical certificates?

• What other information

do you have?

If you would like

assistant with the

drafting of a policy

or procedure, or

are unsure about

personal leave, or

employment matters

generally, please

contact either the

TCCI helpline on

1300 765 123, the

TCC office on 1300

559 122 or workplace

relations at

workplacerelations@

tcci.com.au

Challenge in using capacity

Brett

Charlton

Agility Logistics

A SENATE inquiry is

something new that happened

for me recently –

my words are inked in

Hansard for eternity.

The Tasmanian Logistics

Committee was

called to Melbourne to

present at the senate inquiry

into policy, regulatory,

taxation, administrative

and funding

priorities for Australian

shipping.

The inquiry allowed

the TLC to provide the

point of view of the majority

of Tasmanian industry

that our coastal

shipping task is already

in place and essential to

our trading community

– on the back of the

fact that we are an island

(despite one Senator

bringing up that dreaded

“bridge” concept that

anyone with any concept

of Bass Strait staples as a

chapter of the flat earth

policy).

The position presented

was that our current Bass

Strait service providers

have invested significantly

in new vessels and

infrastructure and that

any threat to these by international

shipping lines

being allowed to carry

domestic cargoes could

bite us in the bum should

Brett Charlton, left, with Senators Alex Gallacher, Barry O’Sullivan and

Glenn Sterle at the shipping senate inquiry.

they erode the viability

of our current services.

The worst case scenario

being that we lose

one or more of our current

service providers to

an international calling

vessel that a year later

sees something shiny in

another part of the planet

and disappears. We said

Tasmania needed to be

viewed as unique as an

island trading state but

by all means consider

options for the big island

– coastal shipping seems

to make sense there.

Although, one of the

comments made before

us by another party at the

senate inquiry raised my

eyebrows: “Our infrastructure

is not ready for

coastal shipping”.

Well, we have certainly

lived that phrase in

Tasmania over the last

six months.

Speak to any transport

company at the moment

and there is an underlying

tension in the air.

Behind the scenes at

the moment there is some

significant disruption in

Tasmania with the freight

task.

Readers of this column

may recall previous

statements about “the future

is so bright” due to

new capacity in the market.

The capacity has arrived

but there have been

challenges in being able

to manage and work the

new capacity.

There is frustration in

the ability to secure domestic

dry cargo northbound

space ex-Tasmania

as the mojo of

working larger vessels

and balancing cargo

volumes has not been

as smooth as everyone

would have liked.

Stories of full depots

of empty and full equipment,

delays for export

containers, redirection of

trucks at the last minute,

short shipments of trailers

are common presently.

The TLC is engaged

in this issue and have assurances

that the mojo is

being refined – “quickly

please” is the message

we are giving.

Chance to cure ailing Northern healthcare

Paul

Lupo

CEO, StLukesHealth

TASMANIA is facing a

once-in-a-generation opportunity

to fundamentally

change the way hospital

and health services

are delivered in Northern

Tasmania after the

commitment by Calvary

Health Care to invest

$100 million in a new

private hospital co-located

with the Launceston

General Hospital.

It is vital we use this investment

to not just simply

relocate the ageing St

Vincent’s and St Luke’s

hospital campuses, but

that we also see it as an

opportunity to undertake

a full investigation into

future health services

and needs, including different

models of care, to

ensure the delivery of the

highest quality and most

affordable healthcare for

both public and private

patients.

Following Calvary’s

unsolicited bid proposal

to the Office of the Coordinator-General

in 2017,

the project has now progressed

to the next phase.

This involves the assessment

panel and Calvary

working together

to finalise the appropriate

location for the new

hospital and defining exactly

what is required to

ensure the co-location

ultimately increases and

improves services and

health outcomes for all

Northern Tasmanians.

I certainly don’t profess

to have all the answers,

but as Tasmania’s

largest not-for-profit

health insurer which invests

all its earnings and

resources back into the

communities we serve,

St.LukesHealth is an important

contributor in the

north and has a role to

play in improving health

service outcomes for

both our members and

the wider community.

To ensure the best possible

outcome for Northern

Tasmania through

Calvary’s proposed investment,

we believe it

would be beneficial for

the Government to consider

the following:

• ensuring LGH and

Calvary work together to

develop a strategy to recruit

new and retain current

specialists in regional

Tasmania;

• allowing specialists

to provide services in the

A co-location is planned with the Launceston General Hospital

public and private hospitals

without restriction,

and ensuring enough

support between both

hospitals to provide specialists

with an attractive

work-life balance;

• ensuring Launceston

is an attractive prospect

for specialists by allowing

time for specialists to

undertake research, with

a view to improving patient

outcomes;

• eradicating the duplication

of services to ensure

funding allocated to

health is spent efficiently;

and

• ensuring the Calvary

project is incorporated as

part of the larger Launceston

Health Precinct

strategy for increased

and improved health service

delivery.

The $260 million

UTAS relocation, plus

the $20 million Launceston

City Heart project

and the $100 million Calvary

co-location all happening

at the same time

gives us an incredible

opportunity to collaborate,

innovate and deliver

an example of how a

regional city can become

a nation leading example

in regional health delivery.

With all these projects

on the drawing board, the

State Government also

has the ideal opportunity

to bring together northern

health stakeholders to

create a better system for

health services for northern

Tasmanians.

Let’s all get on board

and not waste this once

in a lifetime opportunity

to make a real difference

to the health of our local

community.

6 Tasmanian Business Reporter - MAY 2019

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Understanding

franking credits

By WAYNE

DAVEY,CEO

Tasplan Super

THERE have been a

lot of claims and counter-claims

lately about

Federal Labor’s policy,

if elected, to end cash

repayments for franking

credits on dividend imputation.

But what exactly is it,

and what does it mean?

In simple terms, dividend

imputation is designed to

avoid double-taxation,

and works like this.

Let’s say you own

shares in a listed company,

for example a major

bank.

As a shareholder,

you’re effectively a

part-owner of that bank.

If that bank makes a

profit it will pay tax on

that profit at the corporate

tax rate (which is

currently 30 per cent).

Let’s say that after

paying tax on its profit,

the bank returns some of

the remaining profits to

its shareholders.

That’s often referred

to as a dividend, but is

technically known as a

“fully-franked (taxed)

dividend”.

That is, the tax on that

dividend has already

been paid.

However, on your tax

return you’ll have to say

that you received a dividend

as a result of owning

shares and declare

the income.

If there weren’t measures

in place, you may

end up paying tax on

your dividend income

twice – once when the

bank’s profits are taxed

and again when you declare

the dividend income

on your tax return

and pay income tax.

Under the tax system

you receive a credit equal

to the amount of tax

that’s already been paid,

which is offset against

the tax you pay on your

tax return.

That’s called a “franking

credit”.

In addition to that, if

you have a tax bill of

zero for the year, your

franking credits will be

given to you as a cash

refund.

Each year, around $6

billion is paid by the government

to shareholders

– either directly, or

through their super funds

– as cash refunds.

According to the Federal

Treasury, the largest

portion, $2.6 billion,

went to self-managed

super funds, followed

by $2.3 billion to individuals,

$700 million to

tax-exempt entities, and

$300 million to regulated

super funds.

If elected, Labor says,

you’ll still be able to offset

your franking credits

against your tax bill, but

you won’t be able to get

a refund if your total tax

bill is zero.

Effectively, their view

is that if you own shares

but you’re not paying

any income tax, you’re

not being taxed twice and

therefore there’s no need

to pay out the franking

credit as a cash refund.

This policy would also

exempt pensioners who

own shares.

It’s certainly a complicated

policy and political

area and I don’t want to

make any judgement on

the relative merit of the

proposal or arguments,

other than to point out

the facts and encourage

you to carefully consider

them and how it may or

may not impact you, and

encourage you to draw

your own conclusions.

Tasplan Super, a

Tasmanian based

profit-for-members

super fund which has

grown to be the state’s

largest and only locally-based

super provider,

with some $9 billion

under management

and 133,000 members

which makes up about

50 per cent of the Tasmanian

workforce.

www.tcci.com.au

Steps to mitigate

effects of gravity

ABOUT 2000 people per year

are hospitalised due to falls that

occur in the workplace.

Although about 17 per

cent of these occurred in the

construction industry the

remainder have taken place

in factories, shops, cafes,

hotels, schools, offices in fact any

workplace.

WHS regulations

Regulation 34-38: In order

to manage risk under the WHS

Regulations, a duty holder must:

• identify reasonably foreseeable

hazards that could give rise to the

risk;

• eliminate the risk so far as is

reasonably practicable;

• if it is not reasonably practicable

to eliminate the risk – minimise

the risk so far as is reasonably

practicable by implementing control

measures in accordance with the

hierarchy of control; and

• maintain the implemented

control measure so that it remains

effective review, and if necessary

revise, risk control measures so as

to maintain, so far as is reasonably

practicable, a work environment that

is without risks to health and safety.

Code of Practice

The first step in the process is

identifying the fall hazards. This can

be achieved by the following.

Craig

Hortle

Workplace Health & Safety

You must identify all locations

and tasks that could cause injury due

to a fall. Tasks that need particular

attention are those carried out:

• on any structure or plant being

constructed or installed, demolished

or dismantled, inspected, tested,

repaired or cleaned;

• on a fragile surface (for

example, cement sheeting roofs,

rusty metal roofs, fibreglass sheeting

roofs and skylights);

• on a potentially unstable surface

(for example, areas where there is

potential for ground collapse);

• using equipment to work at the

elevated level (for example, when

using elevating work platforms or

portable ladders);

• on a sloping or slippery surface

where it is difficult for people to

maintain their balance (for example,

on glazed tiles);

• near an unprotected open edge

(for example, near incomplete

stairwells);

• near a hole, shaft or pit into which

a worker could fall (for example,

trenches, lift shafts or service pits).

You’re our

number 1

Thank you for voting us

Australia’s number 1

in customer satisfaction

3 YEARS IN A ROW!*

ROY MORGAN RESEARCH

Customer Satisfaction Awards

We can come to you, just ask us how! It’s Easy!

stlukes.com.au 1300 651 988

* #1 Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards: Private Health Insurer of the Year – 2016, 2017 & 2018. St.LukesHealth ABN 81 009 479 618

Switch your pension

to a local, trusted,

not-for-profit super fund.

tasplan.com.au 1800 005 166

Issued by Tasplan Pty Ltd. For further information in relation to

whether to acquire or hold the products referred to, please read the

Pension guide available at tasplan.com.au. The trustee of Tasplan Super

(ABN 14 602 032 302) is Tasplan Pty Ltd (ABN 13 009 563 062).

*Source: ABS 8155.0

Authorised by M.Bailey, CEO, TCCI, 309 Liverpool St, Hobart

Tasmanian Business Reporter - MAY 2019 9

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

www.tcci.com.au

Nurturing the arts economy

Elise

Archer

Arts Minister

TASMANIA is now recognised

nationally and

internationally for its

cultural and creative industries,

which attracts

visitors, enhances our

lifestyle, and creates employment.

Supporting this vibrant

sector creates jobs and

opportunities and also

contributes to the growth

of the economy through

hospitality, retail and

tourism.

The Liberal Government’s

vision for Tasmania

is to be world-leading

in the cultural and

creative industries, we

have a long-term plan

to nurture and expand

the sector; to flourish in

reputation and develop

collaborative arts partnerships.

Since 2014, the Hodgman

Government has

made great strides in

meeting its goals to grow

our reputation as an attractive

and vibrant community

in which to live;

attract talent to support

population growth; and

support the visitor economy,

and initiate improved

governance and

legislative frameworks

for the arts and cultural

sector.

To assist with achieving

these goals, a new

Ministerial Arts and Cultural

Advisory Council

has been formed.

The purpose of this

council is to have open

and frank discussions

with the sector about opportunities

and challenges

that the Government

may consider in framing

its future arts policy and

activities.

As Arts Minister my

door will remain open to

those wanting to engage

directly.

Arts and culture play a

vital role in the pulse of

any community.

It binds together people

with purpose, pleasure

and passion, as well

as building relationships

across many aspects of

the community.

Tasmania has a long

history of cultural activity.

The nationally renowned

Salamanca Arts

Centre is one of the oldest

multi-arts studio and

presentation facilities in

the country.

More recently, the development

of the internationally-renowned

Museum

of Old and New Art

has led to changes in expectations

of audiences,

visitors and creators as

to the quality of cultural

facilities that can be provided

in Tasmania.

Tasmania’s cultural

pursuits operate across

all dimensions of creativ-

Speigeltent on Hobart’s waterfront is a popular annual event space.

ity, be it screen, the visual

and performing arts,

design, literature, community

and cultural practice,

just to name a few.

In recent years, the

growth of our screen sector

has surpassed many

people’s expectations.

Much of this development

has happened on a

case by case basis and

there is an opportunity

to drive greater value in

cultural asset development

through adopting a

co-ordinated approach.

Tasmania’s brand attributes

and our unique

sense of place enable

and strengthen cultural

events and activities in

the state.

These include festivals,

events and activities

that activate intimate and

flexible spaces including

warehouses, farmland,

sheds, barns, alleyways,

heritage buildings and

the Tasmanian wilderness.

This year marked the

10th anniversary of the

biennial Ten Days on the

Island Festival, a strong

example of the growth,

and also the adaptability

of the Tasmanian arts and

cultural sector.

In 2019 the festival

moved to a new model

where events were

scheduled over three

weekends at more than

50 locations throughout

the North West, North

East and South of Tasmania.

This model encouraged

increased tourism

and local spend, and the

opportunity for people

to discover what our regional

areas have to offer.

To secure Tasmania’s

reputation as a cultural

and creative hub, the

Government is investigating

the current and

future needs for cultural

infrastructure. This work

will assist in guiding the

implementation of the

Hobart City Deal and

inform the realisation of

Macquarie Point as a cultural

and arts precinct.

Tax reform aims at online gambling

TASMANIAN Labor is

committed to meaningful

economic reforms.

That is why Labor will

introduce online wagering

(point of consumption tax)

legislation if the measure

is not included in the upcoming

State Budget.

The Revised Estimates

Report shows that Tasmania

is headed for $343

million in net debt and this

was before the Treasurer

flagged a massive $560

million body blow to the

budget over the forward

estimates early in April

More needs to be done

to improve the state’s bot-

Scott

Bacon

Shadow Treasurer

tom line yet it is a matter

of fact that there has not

been one economic reform

put in place by the Government

since coming to

power in 2014.

Labor is committed to

working constructively

and that’s why we will

move a reform that will

improve Tasmania’s Budget

position by up to $11

million in the first year

with every indication that

this would grow going forward.

A point of consumption

tax on online bookmakers

would make

sure Tasmania gets a

fair return of revenue

from online gambling

companies that are invariably

based on the

mainland.

It is projected that the

levy would generate between

$5-$11 million in

extra revenue for Tasmania.

All mainland states

have introduced a point of

consumption tax on online

bookmakers.

Labor first called for a

point of consumption tax

on online gambling in November

2017.

The measure would

only apply to gambling

companies and not punters.

It would not change the

odds offered to punters –

currently Tasmanian punters

do not get better odds

than those in mainland

states which have a point

of consumption tax.

Importantly, Labor’s

policy includes a tax-free

threshold of $150,000 to

make sure small bookmakers

are protected.

Tasmania’s Budget is

in a weakening position

and it is incumbent on all

representatives to be constructive,

and that’s what

the Labor Party is doing.

www.tasmanianbusinessreporter.com.au

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10 Tasmanian Business Reporter - MAY 2019

FOCUS ON BUSINESS

Long service rules explained

TASMANIAN employers operating

in building, construction and

civil industry sectors need to be

aware that their obligation to make

contributions for portable long service

may extend to the contractors

they employ.

Where employers engage contractors

who are sole traders wholly

or principally for their labour

they are required to make contributions

into the fund as required

by the Rules of the Construction

Industry Long Service Fund (the

Rules).

This type of worker engagement

is confusing due to the amount of

legislation that may apply in this

area: the Superannuation Guarantee

Act, Alienation of Personal

Services Income and even the

Common Law.

Each has their own test and measures

that muddy the interpretative

waters in this area.

TasBuild’s own rules do not interact

with these other tests or measures.

TasBuild’s rules are a standalone

requirement that only apply to the

Construction Industry (Long Service)

Act and the Rules.

Where an Employer employs another

person in “Relevant Employment”,

and that other person is contracted

to provide, or principally

provide, their labour, then that per-

son is an employee for the purposes

of the Rules.

This applies where the person employed

is an individual or sole trader.

Where the contract is with a partnership

or an incorporated organisation,

the contract is unlikely to meet

the “labour of the person” (i.e. a single

specific person) requirement, unless

specified in the contract.

Where the Employer does contract

an individual or sole trader, for the

provision of their labour, then the

Employer will be required to register

that employee and pay long service

contributions into the Fund.

The employee will then accrue

service towards a long service entitlement

while they are so employed.

What TasBuild

considers?

In applying the “wholly or principally

for labour” component of

the definition, TasBuild will consider

the following questions:

• Did the contract allow the

worker to engage others to do

the work?

• Did the worker provide materials

of a significant value, as

part of the contract?

• Did the worker provide tools

and/or plant or equipment (other

than that normally expected to

be provided by a worker doing

TasBuild CEO Chris Atkins, left, with Mark Millhouse from Vos, one

of the many partnerships across Tasmania.

the type of work for which they

were engaged) of a significant

value as part of the contract?

• Did the worker need to apply

skills at a higher level than

would normally be expected

from a worker of their classification?

Contracts

The best form of contractual agreement

in these circumstances is a

written contract.

Where both parties have freely

signed the contract, it provides evidence

of their agreement and corroborates

both party’s agreement, as to

conditions.

It will also be a part of valuable

evidence for TasBuild’s assessment.

Where the contract is verbal, evidence

of the actual conditions agreed

to is more difficult to prove.

Having said that, where both parties

confirm the conditions, that is

quite acceptable.

In such circumstances, TasBuild

will review all the available information

and make a decision based on

the evidence provided by each party.

Online tool

To help employers and workers

work out their position, TasBuild has

developed an online assessment tool.

The tool will be available shortly

on our web page at www.tasbuild.

com.au

If you need any further

information, please contact

TasBuild on 03 6294 0807.

There are workers in the construction

industry who are eligible for TasBuild’s

portable long service leave, but are

missing out.

Are they employed

for labour?

Are materials supplied?

Do they invoice the boss?

Are they getting long

service leave?

Take the 2 minute worker test on

our website to see where your

business stands.

www.tasbuild.com.au

Tasmanian Business Reporter - MAY 2019 11

FOCUS ON BUSINESS

Uni courses target health

By DR CAROLYN

KING

Associate Degree in

Applied Health and

Community Support

course coordinator.

ONE in every five new jobs in

Australia is in the health care,

community development and

social assistance sectors.

In Tasmania, 30,000 people

are employed in paid work in

this industry, with thousands

Tasmanian Business Reporter May 2019

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