Queensland businesses freed from red tape

Around 7,000 Queensland firms will have more time and money to grow their businesses after the State Government announced another cut to red tape. 

Treasurer Tim Nicholls said Queensland businesses with an annual payroll tax liability of less than $20,000 will now only need to lodge payroll tax returns just twice a year, instead of every month. 

“From next year these small and medium Queensland businesses will save time and money on unnecessary red tape and get on with their real jobs – growing their businesses,” Mr Nicholls said. 

“This simple change will save business a total of around 40,000 hours of time spent on paperwork and around $2 million in administration costs. 

“From day one, we have set about turning around the former Labor Government’s culture of actively promoting red tape, to focusing on actively reducing it. 

“The LNP’s measured plan to cut red tape, reduce the cost of doing business and maintain Queensland’s competitive tax status is helping to grow a four pillar economy and create jobs. 

“We are determined to create an environment for business success and concentrating on getting government ‘out of the way’, so business owners can get on with running their enterprise.” 

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) general manager Nick Behrens said red tape was one of the most significant issues for Queensland businesses. 

“This change in payroll tax requirements means thousands of small and medium Queensland businesses – many owned and built from the ground up – will save hours of administration and resourcing,” Mr Behrens said. 

Owner of Queensland Sheet Metal Lynette Jones said the change would help her family business. 

“Cutting down red tape and a reduction in paperwork is always a good thing; this will leave more time for growing our business,” Mrs Jones said. 

Mr Nicholls said since 2012 the government had implemented hundreds of red tape reforms, saving potentially hundreds of millions a year in benefits for businesses, community groups and individuals. 

“By removing unnecessary regulation, reducing compliance costs and simplifying processes, we are freeing up businesses, community groups and individuals to focus on what matters; building a great State, with great opportunities,” Mr Nicholls said. 

“We committed to a 20 per cent red tape reduction target by 2018 and we are on track to achieve this.” 

[Ends] 5 September 2014

Media contact: Anna Hilton 0408 191 192