Residents Band Together to Send Message to ATO
Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP and State Member for Waterford, Mike Latter MP joined hundreds of local residents at Palm Lake Resort in Waterford today to send a message to the ATO.
Residents are outraged that the ATO is considering a draft ruling that proposes the application of GST to site fees for permanent residents in retirement villages.
The MP’s offices have been inundated with requests for assistance in fighting the proposed changes as many residents feel they will be unable to cope with any increases in their rent.
Mr van Manen says he appreciates local residents cannot afford the increases and has been assisting residents with making submissions to the ATO.
“My office prepared and delivered 3,500 letters to local residents so they can make a formal submission to the ATO to oppose the draft ruling,” he said.
“If we fight this as a whole community they will not be able to ignore the thousands of voices in Forde alone that oppose the draft ruling.”
“Hopefully, our voices will be heard and the ATO will back away from this proposal.”
Mr Latter has the support of the Queensland Premier behind him and hopes that the ATO will withdraw the proposal.
“People living in retirement communities shouldn’t be hit with this tax on their site fees when others renting a house or apartment are exempt from GST, it’s just not fair,” he said.
“As a community, we need to send a strong message to the ATO that this tax is not on.”
The MPs encourage residents who have not yet made a submission, to get in contact with their offices for assistance.
