Aust, to allow duty-free shopping on arrival

Press, 9 May 1985, Page 18

Aust, to allow duty-free shopping on arrival

NZPA-AAP Canberra

The Australian Cabinet has confirmed the introduction of inward duty-free shopping in Australia from July 1 this year, overturning an earlier decision not to go ahead with the proposal. Approval for inward dutyfree shopping at international airports, allowing the limited sale of liquor, tobacco products and perfume, was originally announced by the Government in September, last year.

However, the Minister of Finance, Senator Peter Walsh, recently opposed the

move because it would mean a loss to revenue and give further unfair benefits to a privileged group of people who could afford overseas travel. The Federal Government’s Expenditure Review Committee is understood to have accepted Senator Walsh’s arguments which, according to Government sources, were subsequently endorsed by the Cabinet. However, the sources said the Cabinet had overturned the decision after new submissions from the Minister of Tourism, Mr John Brown, and the Minister of Trans-

port, Mr Peter Morris, which emphasised the advantages to the aviation and travel industries.

Legislation amending customs and sales tax laws is expected to be introduced in the Federal Parliament this session.

Existing concessions allow the duty-free admission of passengers’ personal effects, including clothing, cameras and jewellery, as well as $2OO value of gifts, souvenirs and other goods which do not fall into the personal effects category.