Geoff Helisma |

Page MP Kevin Hogan has pointed out that “more than 57,000 low and middle income earners in our community [the Page electorate] will start to receive immediate tax relief”, following legislation of the government’s tax reforms.

However, only approximately 11 per cent of workers (4,900 people) in the Clarence Valley will receive the entire $1080, while approximately 11,000 people (23 per cent), who earn less than $20,000, will receive no tax relief.

People who earn between $48,000 and $90,000 per annum receive the full $1,080.

On a state-wide basis the valley’s 11 per cent, who will receive the full amount, compares to NSW’s 16 per cent.

Those who earn more than $90,000 receive a proportion that cuts out at $126,000 – or as Mr Hogan put it in his media release: “Those earning up to $126,000 will receive up to $1,080, and dual income couples will receive up to $2,160.

“Australians voiced their loud and clear support for our comprehensive tax package at the election. They supported a tax system that rewards aspiration and encourages effort, and we have delivered it.

“We have delivered on our promise to build a better tax system and provide more tax relief.

“This will ensure low and middle income earners in our community will keep more of what they earn and have more money in their pockets.

“This will ultimately boost household consumption, which will be good for our local economy.”

When the Independent pointed out that a fairly small proportion of low and middle income workers in the valley would receive the full amount, he said that the government had taken the policy to the election.

“This is what we said we’ll do and we are doing it,” he said.

Mr Hogan’s media release further stated: “The tax package provides a further $158 billion in tax relief, building on the already legislated Personal Income Tax Plan that we announced in the 2018-19 Budget.

“The Government has also locked in the benefits of low and middle income tax relief by increasing the top threshold of the 19 cents in the dollar tax bracket from $41,000 to $45,000 and by increasing the low income tax offset from $645 to $700 in 2022-23.

“In combination with the legislated removal of the 37 per cent tax bracket in 2024-25, the Government is delivering structural reform to the tax system by reducing the 32.5 cents in the dollar tax rate to 30 cents in the dollar.

“Together, these tax relief measures will create a flatter and better tax system that will improve incentives for those working hard in our community.

“It will also ensure that 94 per cent of Australians will face a marginal tax rate no higher than 30 cents in the dollar in 2024-25.

“Lower taxes are part of our plan for a stronger economy.”

Note: Figures and extrapolations sourced from Clarence Valley Council’s .idcommunity demographic resources – 10.9 per cent of people were listed as income ‘not stated’ and 6.4 per cent of people 15 and over were listed as receiving no income

 Detailed breakdowns of how the new tax regime works can be found at www.budget.gov.au/2019-20/content/tax.htm