Senate Committee hearing on Envy Tax due Tuesday 26th August

[Timbo]

Yes from memory the prius was at redline the whole time while the M3 was cruising at about 2k in third

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by amk2912

Can't remember which Season 11 episode it was but Clarkson showed a Prius going as fast as it can around their test track followed by an E92 M3 used MORE fuel over 10 laps than the M3! His solution - If you want to save money on fuel, buy an M3!

I love their irreverent road tests!:thumbup:

Speaking of economy, imagine how much fuel a Prius would use attempting this, especially the first 30 secs of the clip. (it's an oldie by a goodie IMO, laugh every time I watch it)

[AussieRacer]

Season 11, Episode 1

Also makes the comment that it is more environmentally damaging building a Prius, than a Land Rover Discovery

[Alext]

Result due today.

[SimonB]

There's hope yet, but nothing's definate in politics!

From ABC News:

Luxury car tax headed for defeat in Senate

Doomed: The luxury car tax is likely to be voted down today

The Federal Government is confronting the reality of the new Senate, with its luxury car tax increase likely to be voted down today and another key Budget measure also headed for defeat.

The Coalition had a chance to vote down the luxury car tax bill last night, but Liberal Senator Sue Boyce missed the vote.

It will be taken again this morning, but not before Industry Minister Kim Carr had his chance to ridicule the Opposition.

"You are so incompetent, you are such a bunch of dilettantes, that you can't even organise your raid on the Budget properly," he said.

The Government has the votes of the Greens and Independent Nick Xenophon, but it has not persuaded Family First Senator Steve Fielding.

Treasurer Wayne Swan is putting the blame for the Government's Senate problems squarely at the feet of the Opposition.

"If the surplus is raided to a significant extent that will be on the head of Mr Turnbull and the Liberal Party, who are clearly saying that into the future, they prefer a higher level of interest rates than we otherwise might have," he said.

The Government is also worried its proposal to increase the threshold for the Medicare surcharge faces the same fate, when Senate debate on that bill begins today.

[SimonB]

Woohoo! Just heard on the 07:45am ABC news as "news just in", the Luxury Car Tax bill has been defeated in the Senate this morning! Yay!

[professor]

http://webcast.aph.gov.au/livebroadc...nTitle=&type=1

watched it live and its done

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...ction=business

[Timbo]

Ok BMW... cough up my cash!

[ExMX5]

Woooo - Hoooooo!

Watched that with great relish!

[cozza]

So, I wonder how long it will take for BMW Australia to refund that additional 8% to those of us who have paid it already?

[minijet]

Originally Posted by cozza

So, I wonder how long it will take for BMW Australia to refund that additional 8% to those of us who have paid it already?

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Mutha Freaking HOOOOOOOO!!!!

[cargeek]

The is no reason why the Rudd Government could not have another attempt to get the legislation through. If they agree to exempt farmers and tourism operators the legislation will pass so I am not getting my hopes up too much just yet. I suspect it will take the Rudd Government a few days to decide what to do.

[WAY]

Ha! I get some money back too as we had to pay the 8% on my business partner's 135i which he picked up last week. Woohoo!

[WAY]

Originally Posted by cargeek

The is no reason why the Rudd Government could not have another attempt to get the legislation through. If they agree to exempt farmers and tourism operators the legislation will pass so I am not getting my hopes up too much just yet. I suspect it will take the Rudd Government a few days to decide what to do.

So I need to register myself as a tourism operator then? :biggrin:

[cargeek]

Originally Posted by WAY

So I need to register myself as a tourism operator then? :biggrin:

...or grow tomatoes on your balcony :smile:

[MikeVictor]

Originally Posted by WAY

So I need to register myself as a tourism operator then? :biggrin:

Apparently Swan said that exempting farmers and tourism operators isn't feasible to administer.

I'm just chuffed I don't have to pay more tax on a tax.

Article clipped from SMH.com.au below:


One man blows $555m hole in Budget over luxury car tax

• Phillip Coorey
  September 4, 2008 - 11:27AM

The Senate this morning blew a $555 million hole in the federal Budget when it defeated an increase in the luxury car tax.
Senator Steve Fielding voted with the Coalition Oppostion to defeat the bill at the second reading stage - he made no attempt to amend it.
The bill was defeated by 34 votes to 33.
It followed last night's embarrassment when Liberal Senator Sue Boyce failed to show for the planned vote to kill the tax measure.
The opposition moved first thing this morning to have the vote recommitted.
The government wanted to increase the luxury car tax from 25 per cent to 33 per cent on vehicles worth more than $57,180.
The defeat of the bill will cost the government an estimated $555 million in lost revenue over four years.
Tax already collected by car dealers since July 1 will have to be refunded to buyers.
Senator Fielding had wanted to exempt farmers and those in the tourism industry who use cars, worth more than the tax threshold of $57,180, as tools of trade.
But it was explained to him by the Treasurer Wayne Swan that this was both non-constitutional and would be a compliance nightmare.
Farmers and tourist operators could claim their vehicle costs as a tax deduction anyway.
The two men are understood to have had a heated meeting yesterday morning.
Senator Fielding has now sided with the Opposition to defeat three budget bills in the past week and he has the Government worried.
"I just tend to think that maybe the Rudd government thinks they can get away with slugging farmers and tourism operators,'' Senator Fielding said of the luxury car tax.
Mr Swan said before today's vote that Senator Fielding's requests had been unreasonable.
"His request simply couldn't be implemented, it would have been a compliance nightmare,'' he said.
"But it's not too late for the Liberal Party to actually demonstrate some economic responsibility in the Senate today.
"Essentially, what the Liberal Party is doing is supporting a tax cut for owners of luxury cars.''
The Australian Greens and independent Nick Xenophon sided with Labor to allow the bill to proceed to its final stage.
Greens leader Bob Brown criticised Senator Fielding for opposing the bill, saying opposition would prevent any further debate on the issue.
"The government ... simply doesn't know what Senator Fielding's doing, nor does anyone else in the Senate,'' he told ABC Radio.
"I don't even know if Senator Fielding knows what he's doing.''

- with AAP

[MMMMM3]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...121382925.html

No use being a tourism operator - compliance issues apparently.:biggrin:

[cargeek]

Swann is a pollie and its never feasible if its an alternative proposal unless....its the only option. Then he may just find a way to do it!

[cozza]

Seems the Nation is also divided as to whether or not this should have passed:

[Binstar]

Now how long will it take for BMW to drop their prices on their website is the question. I noticed they upped the base price and all the options by 5% a month or so ago, I wonder if it was to do with the Aus dollar dropping or to cover this possible tax block.

[Wraith]

I'm sure I speak for ALL future buyers WOOOOOOHOOOOOO

I'm going to put that otherwise ripped off dosh into more options or the DCT if it comes the 135i's way :biggrin:

I hope all of you that have paid for it recently get a prompt and hassle free refund from your respective BMW stealers er dealers

Can't help but think of how greedy they all were to bill for something that was never 100% certain

[Wraith]

Originally Posted by Binstar

Now how long will it take for BMW to drop their prices on their website is the question. I noticed they upped the base price and all the options by 5% a month or so ago, I wonder if it was to do with the Aus dollar dropping or to cover this possible tax block.

I reckon the latter, they must have an inside feel for these things...bloody rip off middle men merchants