Joint media release:
- The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Shadow Treasurer
- The Hon Kevin Hogan MP, Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism
15 December 2023
The Coalition today acknowledges the unjustifiably belated decision by the Albanese Government to begin negotiations for a tax treaty with Ukraine.
After six months the Labor Government has now backflipped after dismissing a request by a Ukrainian-Australian organisation to implement the tax arrangement.
The Coalition reinforced these calls at the time and urged the Labor Government redirect its misguided priorities and at least commit to exploring all available mechanisms with Ukraine.
It seems that this flat-footed Labor Government now understands that without a tax treaty Australian companies could be discouraged and penalised should they wish to invest and assist with the rebuilding of Ukraine when the time comes.
In their initial response Treasury made extraordinary claims of their resourcing being ‘fully deployed’ and saying the ‘scope does not exist to add Ukraine to the program’.
In Labor’s May Budget over $860 million in additional resourcing was delivered for Treasury and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Albanese Government should not be dragged to the table every time Ukraine makes a request for assistance.
Australia should be doing more to help Ukraine which also includes planning for our involvement in the peace when the time comes.
The Coalition looks forward to the swift implementation of the tax treaty with Ukraine.