The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has called for federal and state governments to carefully consider the impacts of taxes and charges as they commence deliberations for budgets due in the next few months.
ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman said there were sections of the Australian economy under significant pressure and retailing is one of them.
“Government can relieve that pressure by not just holding off on taxation, charges and excise increases outside inflation but also by cutting the burden on consumers and retailers.
“Consumer confidence can only be maintained if consumers have cash in their pockets, which means ARA is urging government to do its bit not to increase the cost of living through additional taxes and charges as federal and state budget considerations commence, Zimmerman said.
“At the end of the day a business needs to make money before it pays tax.
“To make money it is vital for consumers to have money in their pockets to spend.
He said the ARA was witnessing the retail sector undergo significant structural change and at the same time is being hit by declining consumer confidence. As recently as Thursday the Australian Industry Group and Commonwealth Bank Consumer survey indicated confidence was struggling or declining.
“With the sector vulnerable, now is not the time for governments to undertake tax grabs or impose sneaky revenue hikes through changes or excise increases above the inflation rate.
“ARA is urging government not to offset spending by taking money out of a struggling private sector or hit consumer confidence,” Zimmerman said.
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