By Cam Lucadou-Wells
There could be more life in a withdrawn State Parliament Bill that’s drawn the ire of two Casey councillors.
The proposed Charities Amendment Bill targeted profitable commercial enterprises owned by religious institutions that claimed tax exemptions.
It was scrapped after being ruled unconstitutional by the Legislative Council President Bruce Atkinson.
The Bill’s “hugely passionate” proponent Fiona Patten, leader of the Reason Party, said she would continue to campaign on the issue.
“It is a central policy of the Reason party.”
The Bill was launched in the state’s upper house. It was ruled unconstitutional because tax-related laws must originate in the lower house.
When asked if the Bill would be re-introduced, Ms Patten said “we are considering our options”.
“It is important that we have conversation about what sort of commercial operations should qualify for tax exemptions.
“And the bigger question as to whether the ‘advancement of religion’ qualifies as a genuinely charitable purpose in the 21st century.”
Ms Patten cited targets such as Sanitarium – the maker of Weet-Bix – which pays no company tax in Australia.
As a company owned by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, it was also entitled to exemptions from land tax, stamp duty and payroll tax, Ms Patten said.
“I note that paying its ‘fair share of tax’ does not abrogate the ability of a religious-run business to generate profits for a religious institution – just as normal businesses will pay tax and return profits to shareholders.”
Casey councillors Rosalie Crestani and Susan Serey, in separate motions, called for Casey officers to investigate the impact of the Bill.
Their motions were withdrawn at a 3 April meeting after the Bill was invalidated.
Cr Crestani said she would be strongly opposed if the legislation again “reared its ugly head”.
The viability of religious groups and their services such as soup kitchens, food banks, play groups, markets and emergency assistance was at risk, she said.
It would potentially damage the “fabric of our society” and destroy “our Judeo-Christrian roots”, she said.
She described the Bill as a “war on religion”.
