Mobile home owners get early Christmas present

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has welcomed the Australian Taxation Office’s decision to drop proposed changes that would have resulted in GST being applied to moveable homes.

The ATO has advised it has withdrawn its draft ruling, which sought to apply the full GST to many caravan park residents who live in mobile homes across the Hinkler electorate.

Mr Pitt wrote to Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey on November 15 about the draft ruling, highlighting Hinkler residents’ concerns.

“This is great news for the hundreds of Hinkler residents who would have been adversely affected, had the ATO’s draft ruling been allowed to stand,” Mr Pitt said.

“I had serious concerns about the impact the ruling would have on the cost of living for locals in mobile homes.”

Mr Pitt said the ATO had listened to residents’ concerns.

“In their statement, the ATO acknowledges the arguments which were included in many of the submissions,” he said.

“I received dozens of letters from the Hinkler community about the ATO’s proposal, and a petition containing more than 250 signatures.  

“It is this feedback that enabled us to present the strongest possible case against the draft ruling,” he said.

“This is a welcome early Christmas present for affected residents, relieving them of the stress that the draft ruling created.”