No Land Tax Campaign
The No Land Tax Campaign was a minor Australian political party formed prior to the 2015 New South Wales state election. It was formed in opposition to the levying of land tax, which in New South Wales applies to investment properties and holiday homes.[1] The party achieved 1.90% of Legislative Council and 2.02% of Legislative Assembly votes at the election, but its failure to honour a promise to 3,600 workers to pay them $30 an hour ultimately led to legal trouble for the party.
The party letterboxed homes in some parts of New South Wales with a flyer bearing the state's coat of arms, and advertising a website "electionwork.com.au".[2] The website offered $30 an hour to "reliable, enthusiastic people" to hand out flyers and approach voters — bonuses were offered if candidates achieved certain vote levels.[3] The Electoral Commissioner, Colin Barry, commented that in 30 years, he had never seen a situation like it: "I'm not aware of any political party paying people to hand out material on election day. This was a very novel approach to say the least."[4]
Through the ensuing months, Peter Jones, the party secretary, repeatedly promised to pay the 3,600 workers, blaming delays on various administrative and other causes. However, no money was paid and the party's website was taken offline. In August 2015, following an investigation which commenced in May, the Fair Work Ombudsman announced that they were taking legal action against Jones and the party, accusing them of a lack of co-operation.[5][6] On 12 December 2017, the Federal Circuit Court fined Jones $13,315 and the party $67,575.[7] Jones admitted contravening the workplace laws, but was criticised by the judge for his arrogant attitude and lack of remorse.[8]
The party was registered with the NSW Electoral Commission in March 2014, and deregistered on 15 July 2015.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "No Land Tax candidate list reveals party may be all in the family". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 March 2015.
- ^ Pearson, Andrew (1 April 2015). "NSW election 2015: No Land Tax workers worried about payment". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ No Land Tax Campaign. "Election Day Workers Needed". Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ Collins, Antoinette (18 May 2015). "No Land Tax Party workers still waiting for payment as NSW electoral commissioner expresses concern". ABC Online. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ Fair Work Ombudsman (11 August 2015). "No Land Tax Party faces legal action". Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ Patty, Anna (11 August 2017). "Fair Work Ombudsman launches legal action against No Land Tax party and Peter Jones". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ Patty, Anna (13 December 2017). "Political party, leader fined $81,000 for short-changing workers". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ Fair Work Ombudsman (13 December 2017). "Political party leader who short-changed workers criticised for "arrogant" attitude". Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ NSW Electoral Commission (31 October 2016). "2015-16 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 14 December 2017.
External links
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