A mere two days before the MIAA
conference, MIAA CEO Jenny
Lambert attended a Tourism
Taxation Consultative Committee
meeting, where the Australian
Taxation Office was again
overwhelmed by the strength of
opposition to the way that contra
deals need to be handled under
the GST Act.
Taxation rulings relating to non-monetary
consideration, and a recent ruling relating to
gifts and prizes were at the centre of the firing
line, not just from the meetings industry, but all
sectors of tourism.
Given the strength of opposition, the
Taxation Office proposed that a separate
meeting be convened as soon as possible
involving tourism and the not-for-profit sector,
both of which are considered to be keenly
disadvantaged by the administrative burden.
It is clear that some compromise will need
to be identified as compliance with the
requirements to exchange invoices is real-
istically identified as being very low. Poor
compliance is not often a sign of unlawful
behaviours, but instead an illustration that the
law itself needs to be addressed.
In the last few months, the Minister
for Small Business & Tourism has been
encouraging all major players in the
tourism industry to contribute to the
strategic review being conducted by
the Department of Industry, Tourism
and Resources under the leadership
of David Mazitelli.
This process, which ultimately will result in
what Government calls a "White Paper" is
intended to highlight the complex mix of
variables that go into the tourism mix.
As the Tourism Minister often emphasises,
the review is much more than a discussion
about funding for the ATC.There are important
issues such as infrastructure, training and skills
development, transport & aviation, impediments,
opportunities and threats to be canvassed by
the review. Specifically for the business events
sector David Mazitelli has already raised the
longer term issues of the role of business
meetings in the future, and the impact of
technology and security on their longevity.
At the time of going to print, the discussion
paper which represents the first step in the
review process, is due out. MIAA will play a
prominent role in responding to the paper and
contributing to debate. To do that effectively, it
encourages members to make their own
contribution. Now is the time to think about
some of the "bigger picture" issues facing our
sector. To do so entails using an educated
crystal ball to what the industry may look like
in 15 or 20 years.
Minister Announces Strategic Review
President's Message
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96
Education
.........................................................
97
Award Winners
..............................................
98
Industry News
.............................................
100
Ceo's Corner
.................................................
101
Accreditation
...............................................
102
meetings
meetings
issue no.15 june 2002
GST and Contra The Saga Continues
Leigh Harry, Joe Hockey MP, Jenny Lambert during the morning session at the MIAA
conference on Hamilton Island.
THIS ISSUE
