The recent announcement by the Australian Government to implement a AUD$2000 cap on work-related self-education expenses would lead to a decline in skills in the events industry, disadvantaging Australia on the competitive global marketplace.
That’s the grim prediction from the Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) as it fights to have the policy overturned.
“We are deeply concerned this policy will affect the viability of PCO and Event Management businesses throughout Australia,” warned MEA Chief Executive Officer, Linda Gaunt.
“This policy will hinder an industry already threatening a skills shortage,” she added.
“Furthermore, it will adversely affect the competitiveness of Australian workers in the global marketplace.”
The Federal Government is set to introduce the $2000 cap on how much people can claim on work-related expenses on education from July this year.
In outlining the impact such a policy would have on the events, not-for-profit and education industries, the MEA listed the following concerns:
-Affect the viability of PCO and Event Management businesses throughout Australia;
-Severely impact the financial viability of non-profit organisations which provide work related educational programs for a fee;
-Impact the sustainability of the not for profit sector;
-Lead to a decline in the skills in the events industry, hindering an industry already threatening a skills shortage; and
-Adversely affect the competitiveness of Australian workers in the global marketplace.
The MEA has called on “concerned industry practitioners” to send in feedback as part of a strategy to have the policy overturned.