The Nationals WA will provide 100 per cent tax relief rebate for residential workers in designated mining communities if returned to Government at the State election.
Announced over the weekend by Leader of The Nationals WA Brendon Grylls MLA, The Nationals’ ‘Live where you work’ policy will see employers that utilise a residential workforce rewarded by providing a payroll tax exemption on new and existing employees.
Mr Grylls said The Nationals were passionate about the growth and development of regional WA and welcomed the announcement.
“Through our flagship Royalties for Regions policy we have invested more than $6.9 billion into more than 3,700 projects across regional WA to grow vibrant communities where people aspire to live and work,” Mr Grylls said.
“This is why we have taken a strong position against Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) operational workforces during our time in Government.
“We have worked hard to transition FIFO workers to residential living in establish towns by supporting the closure of Kurra Village in Newman and Gap Ridge in Karratha.”
Mr Grylls said the rebate would also be available to businesses that can verify they have an eligible employee who has resided in accepted housing for a period of 12 months.
“While there is a place for FIFO work practices, particularly at remote mines where residential workforces are not practical, The Nationals were working hard to encourage the growth of mining towns into vibrant and sustainable communities,” Mr Grylls said.
“Property prices in mining communities have now normalised, government services have been enhanced through Royalties for Regions – so there has never been a better time to deliver a policy framework to encourage residential workforces.
“Communities, businesses and Local Government have also embraced our vision for the regions and agree that residential workforces delivers better results for regional towns.”
Mr Grylls said the ‘Live where you work’ policy would complement The Nationals’ commitment to exempt all businesses with payroll tax of less than $5 million from paying the tax for two years.
For more information visit www.nationalswa.com/policies
