STIRLING businessman Alex Polglaze is hoping he will receive answers on payroll tax at an election candidates forum on Thursday February 23.
The Stirling Times and the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) have invited businesses to the forum next week – where Liberal incumbent Chris Hatton and Labor candidate David Michael will debate the issues impacting Balcatta at the Stirling Regional Business Centre.
Mr Polglaze, who has owned his business The Book-Keeping Network for 32 years, said payroll tax was very anti-employment and having provided a payroll service to his own clients he could see how it impacted on business.
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“We have seen businesses shed staff to get under the threshold,” he said.
“It is a very anti-employment tax and as wages have risen over the years, the thresholds have failed to keep up and therefore are catching a lot more businesses than it was originally designed for.
“It was after all a temporary tax to help the war effort.”
CCI chief executive Deidre Willmott said the CCI had met with Balcatta business owners recently.
“They told us that payroll tax, red tape and a lack of government support for small businesses were the issues keeping local business owners up at night,” she said.
“It was no surprise that payroll tax has been singled as a key barrier restricting the success of small and medium sized businesses – as a business’s total payroll approaches the $850,000 threshold, business owners are telling CCI they stop employing more workers to prevent their business from suffering under the additional tax.
“At a time when WA’s jobless rate is at 6.6 per cent, this roadblock to employment must be removed.”
Balcatta election forum
Hosts: Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA & the Times
Where: Stirling Regional Business Centre, Balcatta
When: Thursday, February 23, 5.30pm-7.30pm
Cost: Free
Register: Visit https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/balcatta-candidate-debate