Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 1 November 2012:

With reference to the Tax Studies Institute announced in October 2011 as an outcome of the Tax Forum, and for which $3 million of funding over 3 years from 2012-13 was announced in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2011-2012:

(1) Given the reference made in the 2012-13 Budget document Tax Reform Road Map of the intention to establish a Tax Studies Institute in 2012, is the Government still committed to the Tax Studies Institute.

(2) What reasons are there to explain the delay in establishing the Tax Studies Institute.

(3) What is the current plan to establish the institute, including: timing, the nature of the resources to be made available to the institute, and its governance.

(4) Has the department held discussions with academics, professional services firms or other bodies with a view to resourcing the Tax Studies Institute; if so, can details regarding the nature of the discussions and the outcomes be provided.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Treasurer has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Yes.

(2) The Government is considering the best way of establishing and structuring the Institute, including the design of its governance arrangements.

(3) See answer to Question (2). In the 2011-12 MYEFO, the Government announced that it would provide $3 million over three years to establish the Tax Studies Institute. The Institute will also have deductible gift recipient status.

(4) Treasury officers have consulted a range of interested parties, including academics, industry, tax practitioners and state government representatives. A number of options and models for the Institute were discussed. We are still receiving feedback from stakeholders. The Government is factoring this input into its consideration of the issue.