Call to exempt restaurant workers from tax on public holidays
The man in charge of the Gold Coast’s leading restaurant industry association wants a radical change to the nation’s tax laws in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.
President of the Restaurant Industry Support Group Gold Coast, Glen Day has put in an enormous request to the government: exempt restaurant workers from tax when they work public holidays.
This, he says, would give employees a bonus for working on a public holiday.
And at the same time, the proposal would remove the tax liability away from the employer.
So it would be win-win.
He stressed however that this was not about removing penalty rates for working on public holidays.
“They are there for a reason,” Mr Day told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“But there are only 10-12 public holidays a year where all Australians enjoy a day off but restaurant employees are always working these special days.
“I’m sure all Australians would like to show their appreciation to these employees who have always had to work on public holidays while the rest of Australia enjoys a day of celebration with family and friends — especially dining out.”
He said the reduction in pay-as-you go income tax would also allow more businesses to operate on public holidays.
“This would leave them with more funds so they could employ more people and create more jobs, and it would increase their employees take home pay giving them more disposable income to spend in retail, hospitality and so on,” Day told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“It will be a flow-on effect. I’m sure this would pass the pub test and I’m sure all Australians would see this as a reward and a way to show their appreciation to the employees of the restaurant industry.”
At the same time, it would address the problem of many businesses finding it not viable to open on public holidays.
“Living on the Gold Coast and with the upcoming Commonwealth Games being held over the Easter long weekend with many public holidays over this time, this would guarantee the Gold Coast as an international city and open for business,” Mr Day told the newspaper.
“We want to start the conversation, but I reckon any party that bought it in would get the vote from the common people.”
by Leon Gettler, September 25th 2017
