Chapter 1 - Interim Report of the Select Committee of the Scrutiny of New Taxes

Introduction – a report on the progress of proceedings: new taxes monitoring database

1.1        On Thursday 30 September 2010 the Senate established the Select Committee on the Scrutiny of New Taxes (the committee) to inquire into the following matters:

(a) new taxes proposed for Australia, including:

(i)        the minerals resource rent tax and expanded petroleum resource rent tax,

(ii)       a carbon tax, or any other mechanism to put a price on carbon, and

(iii)      any other new taxes proposed by Government, including significant changes to existing tax arrangements;

(b) the short and long term impact of those new taxes on the economy, industry, trade, jobs, investment, the cost of living, electricity prices and the Federation;

(c) estimated revenue from those new taxes and any related spending commitments;

(d) the likely effectiveness of these taxes and related policies in achieving their stated policy objectives;

(e) any administrative implementation issues at a Commonwealth, state and territory level;

(f) an international comparison of relevant taxation arrangements;

(g) alternatives to any proposed new taxes, including direct action alternatives; and

(h) any other related matter. 

1.2        To date, pursuant to these terms of reference, the committee has resolved to inquire into a national mining tax, a carbon tax and the government's proposal to allow higher education providers to charge a compulsory student services and amenities fee. The committee has conducted public hearings in relation to matters concerning a national mining tax and has finalised its report on the proposed student amenities fee.

1.3        Further hearings will be held to facilitate the committee's ongoing inquiries into a national mining tax, a carbon tax and other taxes the committee resolves to investigate.

1.4        To assist its inquiry into these matters the committee has been monitoring government announcements of policy and legislative change as well as media articles that suggest policy change. This information is being collated and is circulated periodically to inform the committee's discussions.

1.5        As the government has introduced more than $40 billion of new or increased taxes over the past three years the committee views this process as a means of identifying and scrutinising new and increased taxes as they are introduced by the government. Reporting these findings on a regular basis will further expose the government's clandestine efforts to increase the tax burden on all Australians.

1.6        The committee's first extract of its database is contained in Chapter 2. This version of the database covers the period from 30 September 2010 (the date of the committee's establishment) to 28 February 2011.

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