The LNP is calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to help struggling community and services clubs endure the coronavirus pandemic by waiving all gaming tax until they can reopen.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has backed calls from Clubs Queensland to refund all March gaming tax and waive taxes while they are unable to operate.
“Queensland can’t afford for our community clubs to be wiped out because of the coronavirus,” Ms Frecklington said.
“They employ thousands of workers, many of them casual, and support worthy local sporting and community activities right around Queensland.
“They are a meeting place for people, including seniors and other community groups.
“The LNP backs our community club sector and we are asking Annastacia Palaszczuk to do the same.
“The support these clubs provide to the community will also play an important role when this pandemic eventually passes.
“I am calling on Annastacia Palaszczuk to raise the bar and help the community club sector rebound from the coronavirus-enforced shutdown.”
LNP Shadow Attorney-General David Janetzki said yesterday’s deferral announcement by Labor was a cruel hoax.
“It doesn’t make sense for a business to defer a tax payment for a period when they were not even allowed to open,” Mr Janetzki said.
“Many of these community clubs are facing the prospect of not re-opening their doors.
“Refunding the March gaming tax will provide clubs with some cash flow and waiving taxes into the future will help the industry achieve a COVID-19 exit strategy.
“Everything possible must be done to keep these services going and give these workers an economic lifeline.
“Labor’s tax deferral won’t save jobs – that’s the bottom line.”
Community clubs and pubs employ tens of thousands of Queenslanders from Cooktown to Coolangatta and out to the border and are an important part of our domestic tourism industry.
