NSW: Govt advertising on pokies re-opens the battle of the tax

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2004
NSW: Govt advertising on pokies re-opens the battle of the tax

The pokies tax debate is on again, with the NSW government launching a week-long advertising
campaign in Sydney newspapers outlining its impact.

The government ads say two-thirds of NSW clubs won't pay more tax under the new system
to take effect on September the 1st.

But the clubs say the advertisements are misleading and deceptive.

ClubsNSW says the decrease in tax some clubs will pay is small and the government's
failed to include GST owed by the clubs in its figures.

Chief executive DAVID COSTELLO says 1,500 jobs have already been lost from the industry,
even before the tax's taken effect.

A spokesman for Treasurer MICHAEL EGAN says there's no link between the tax and jobs lost.

AAP RTV shh/ld/drp

KEYWORD: POKIES (SYDNEY)

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