HOSPITAL PARKING

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (16:14): My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Will the commercialisation of hospital car parks and their transfer to private ownership have any unintended consequences for businesses in respect of fringe benefits tax? If so, has the government consulted with businesses that may be affected? The government has acknowledged cabinet plans to privatise hospital car parks. The Australian Taxation Office website states that fringe benefits tax liability may arise for car parks provided by an employer for their employees where there is a commercial parking station within a one kilometre radius.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (16:14): Treasury has carriage of the issue. It is currently a matter that is being scoped by the department. They have not provided any formal advice, but that would be one of the issues which would be considered as part of the scoping. I am not a taxation expert, but I would have thought that, for staff who are being provided with a car park, that would normally be picked up in FBT issues for those staff—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Well, then, I am more than happy to have a look at that and get some advice back, but, as I say, it is something which is being scoped. It is in the early stages, the business case is being prepared, and that will be brought to me to take a recommendation to cabinet.