Australian associations unite to oppose Federal Government's $2,000 cap on deductible self-education

A range of industry associations including the Association of Australian Convention Bureaux; the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA); the Australasian Society of Association Executives; the Australian Council for Private Education and Training; the Australian Institute of Architects; the Australian Institute of Horticulture; and the Australian Library and Information Association; have joined a campaign calling for the Federal Government's recently introduced $2,000 cap on tax deductions for self-education expenses to be withdrawn.

The 'Scrap the Cap' campaign is urging the Federal Government and the Federal opposition to commit to "urgently reverse" the introduction of the $2,000 cap on the tax deductibility of work related self-education expenses.

Founding member of the Scrap the Cap Alliance, The Australian Medical Associations (AMA) President Dr Steve Hambleton has identified the cap as a tax on learning, saying that the Alliance has been lobbying the Government for months to publically guarantee that genuine professional development such as medical training would be exempt from the proposed tax changes.

Dr Hambleton states "the proposed cap on self-education would be a huge disincentive ... to improve skills."

The Scrap the Cap Alliance currently consists of more than 60 member organisations supporting more than 1.6 million professionals, including universities, nurses, engineers, accountants, lawyers, veterinarians, allied health professionals, and small business operators.

AALARA President Phil Durkin has told AALARA members "we strongly encourage everyone in the sector to get behind the campaign."

For more information or to sign a petition to 'Scrap the Cap' go to www.scrapthecap.com.au/sign-the-petition

Image: Australian Library and Information Association.