Consultation
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Reform living-away-from-home benefits
Name
Dr John den Haan
Organisation
Email
john@den-haan.nl
Are you submitting on behalf of your Company
No
Do you want your submission to be confidential
No
Accessibility Statement
No
Submission files
Support files
Submission text
Dear sir / madam, 

As a Dutch national working in Australia, I am appalled at the prospect of losing my LAFHA benefits as early and suddenly as July 2012. 

Whilst I really enjoy this beautiful country and feel it a distinct privilege to be living and working here, the reality of the situation is that as of July 2012 I will find myself tied up in various contracts that are suddenly above my standard of living. One budgets according to one's net income and a sudden drop of 15 to 20 percent is a major blow that many may not be able to recover from. A one to two year transitional arrangement will allow us to serve out our contracts and subsequently adapt our lifestyles to the new situation. As it stands now, many will be forced into insolvency. 

Whilst an even tax burden may sound fair, having unequal access to public services makes me feel that this piece of legislation discriminately targets overseas workers. This feels wrong and out of line with core Australian values of equality. I therefore urge you to consider amending either this bill or public service access provisions to accommodate for overseas workers. 

Bottom-line, I feel this legislation will hurt the Australian economy, starting in the short to mid-term with the real estate market. To quote myself a week ago: "I wouldn't want to be a eastern suburbs landlord right now". Being employed in the creative and marketing sector, I also foresee dire consequences for our ability to attract the necessary talent that is so scarce in these 'brain-drain' times. 

All in all, I strongly urge you to reconsider. I, and many overseas workers with me, love this country and will try everything in my power to stay and contribute, but this is not a way to treat those that travel across the globe to help make this country to what it is. 

Sincerely, 

John den Haan