PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 80/ 1969
PREMIERS' CONFERENCE ON RECEIPTS DUTY TAX
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
The purpose of today's meeting was to discuss the
problem posed by the recent decision of the High Court regarding
the validity of the receipts duty tax levied by the States.
It is the intention of the States, in order to obtain a
definite and final decision, to take another case to the High Court
to decide whether this tax is still held to be invalid in some or all
circumstances. Both the States and the Commonwealth hope that in
this important matter a final decision can be arrived at as soon as
possible. Further, at the request of all the State Premiers, the
Prime Minister and Treasurer agreed to put to Cabinet a proposal
that, in the event of the present taxes being found invalid in some or
all respects, the Commonwealth should pass legislation, on a uniform
basis, imposing a like tax and enabling the States to receive it. This
would prevent the loss of revenue to the States which would otherwise
occur during the present financial year.
If this were done, it would be sought to make the
Commonwealth legislation retrospective to the date of this statement.
CANBERRA 18 November 1969