The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, and Federal Member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, have reported a strong response from Cairns small business owners to the visit of a specialist taskforce from the Australian Tax Office.
The tax office support team will be in Cairns all next week (1-5 February) to provide onsite, one-on-one support to small business owners who may be having difficulties with finances and tax matters.
"The Tax Office has called 1100 local small businesses in the Cairns area – and the response has been extraordinary," the Assistant Treasurer said.
"To date, 106 small businesses have expressed interest in attending an onsite visit and, of these, 60 have confirmed their appointments."
Mr Turnour said the high take-up rate shows Cairns small businesses need this type of assistance.
"There is an obvious need for one-on-one support for local small businesses, to tailor individual payment arrangements and work out what's the best course for them."
"The Tax Office taskforce visit is just one part of the Rudd Government's package of action for the region – Keep Cairns Working."
"The Tax Office mission is going the extra mile in trying to help businesses in Tropical North Queensland and will extend assistance beyond next week."
"For instance, the taskforce is making alternative appointments for 11 small businesses that aren't able to attend an onsite visit next week," Mr Turnour said.
The Assistant Treasurer also reminded larger businesses with turnover of more than $2 million that they too can seek similar assistance.
"Businesses of all sizes that would like one-on-one assistance should contact the Tax Office and an appointment will be arranged to suit them," the Assistant Treasurer said.
"The Rudd Government's main concern is protecting jobs and keeping afloat businesses hit by the global recession."
"By their nature, Cairns and tropical North Queensland have been hit harder than most and that's why they're a priority area for action," the Assistant Treasurer said.