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The news
Queensland’s LNP state council has called on the Crisafulli government to abolish payroll tax by 2032, among a series of resolutions up for debate at a weekend party gathering.
The motion was among 26 on the agenda for party members at the LNP’s state council meeting, kicked off with a Friday evening welcome function featuring former prime minister Tony Abbott.
Then-opposition leader David Crisafulli speaking at the 2024 LNP state convention in Brisbane.Credit: Facebook
One of the top-listed resolutions ahead of the meeting came from former federal Liberal MP turned Crisafulli government assistant finance minister Amanda Stoker’s Oodgeroo branch.
The resolution called for the state to enact a “phased reduction” of payroll tax from a maximum of 4.95 per cent to 2.5 per cent in this term, before abolishing it in a second term if re-elected.
Why it matters
Despite detailing only two minor changes under its promise of lower taxes while in opposition, Premier David Crisafulli this month opened the door to broader reform – including on payroll tax.
Running until Sunday, LNP officials including elected politicians, executive members and other internal figures have descended on the Seaworld Resort Conference Centre for the state council.
Also addressing the event will be federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley and Nationals leader David Littleproud, amid a turbulent week for Ley’s leadership and party position on net zero.
While the positions taken by the council (and wider convention) are not binding on the parliamentary arms, several of the open session resolutions call for specific action from the Crisafulli government.
What they said
While describing payroll tax as a “disincentive” for businesses to hire staff in a recent interview with the ABC, Crisafulli noted his government had to “run a responsible operation”.
Payroll tax – payable for businesses with more than a $1.3 million annual wage bill – is forecast to make up the largest portion (29.4 per cent) of state tax revenue this financial year, at $7.8 billion.
The payroll tax resolution passed on Saturday morning. Others being debated include calling on the state government and federal Coalition to criminalise the desecration of the state of national flag.
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Selling the ABC and SBS and creating a regional-only media corporation is also proposed, as is a state ban on the use of female toilets and change rooms by anyone other than “biological women and girls”.
“Male toilets and change rooms are to be used only by biological men and boys, with exceptions for children of either male or female gender up to eight years of age,” the LNP Women resolution read.
In a social media post marking the launch of the state council event, the Young LNP said Abbott, Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie spoke on Friday evening about the importance of “values over ideology”.
What’s next
Crisafulli will deliver his state leader’s report to the meeting on Sunday morning, between remaining debate on the open session resolutions.
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