The Labor Party showed gross hypocrisy and was standing in the way of the Government policing the implementation of Australia's new tax system, the Minister for Financial Services & Regulation, Joe Hockey, told Parliament today.
The Minister tabled a letter (see below) from Queensland ALP Minister for Fair Trading, Judy Spence, saying Queensland would not refer to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission the power to undertake enforcement action under State fair trading legislation in relation to GST complaints.
"After further consideration of this issue I have decided not to recommend to my Cabinet colleagues that the State of Queensland refer power to the Commonwealth in this area," the letter from Minister Judy Spence said.
"The Labor Party's colleagues aren't giving us the power to do it. You are the hypocrites about this," Joe Hockey told Parliament.
"The Labor Government in Queensland signed up to the GST and is happy to get all the revenue from the GST, but will stand in the way of helping to police the new tax system," the Minister said.
'This is breathtaking hypocrisy.
" I call on the Beattie Labor Government to pass legislation to give the ACCC wider powers to undertake enforcement action under fair trading laws in relation to GST complaints.
"The ACCC has already shown their ability to pursue businesses who try to rip off consumers during the implementation of the GST. Wider referral power would only help to make sure consumers are not ripped off."
