SA businesses highest taxed in Australia

Posted on January 16, 2012

For the third consecutive year South Australian businesses are the highest taxed in Australia, according to the Institute of Public Affairs.

Today’s bad news comes at a time when Labor goes into its eleventh year of Government in South Australia.

Leader of the Opposition Isobel Redmond said the IPA ‘Business Bearing the Burden’ report comes at a time when South Australian businesses can least afford it.

“This is the third consecutive year that South Australian businesses have been the highest taxed in the nation,” Ms Redmond said.

“SA businesses in 2009, 2010 and 2011 were hit hard by the highest taxes in the nation – all on Labor’s watch.

“Premier Weatherill and Labor must explain to South Australian businesses why they are the highest taxing Government in Australia.

“Not only that, but other factors like increasing electricity costs are also affecting businesses in SA and the way they operate.

“High taxes hurt South Australian small businesses and make the state less attractive to potential investors. In simple terms, high taxes are a disincentive to grow your business in SA.

“Our state also has a problem with interstate migration – 22 per cent of businesses across the nation that are relocating are moving away from SA. This simply isn’t good enough.

“This means Mr Weatherill and Labor have a big problem on their hands – we need to be attracting business to our state, not pushing investors away.

“The IPA report also comes at a time when South Australians are struggling to cope with increased cost of living pressures.

“It’s a double tax whammy for South Australians and South Australian businesses in this state – Mr Weatherill must explain what he will do to address these crippling tax problems.”