[Greens-Media] Miles Franklin more rewarding without tax

[Hetherington, Alison (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE



Wednesday 19 June 2013



Miles Franklin more rewarding without tax



Greens Leader Christine Milne has reiterated her call to stop taxing iconic arts award winners as this year's Miles Franklin winner Michelle de Kretser was announced in Canberra today.



"It really takes the shine off winning this wonderful award that Michelle doesn't receive the full value of the prize.



"The Gillard government and Tony Abbott need to get their priorities right - taxing prize money for authors and artists raises very little revenue and makes no sense if we value Australia's artists." Senator Milne said.



"The Parliamentary Budget Office shows that if the government stopped taxing nationally significant arts awards it would cost $220,000 a year.



"This is a small cost to the taxpayer but a massive investment in Australian artists and the vibrancy of our arts culture," Senator Milne said.



Past Miles Franklin award winner, Anna Funder, has come out against the taxes.



"It seems strange that TattsLotto and blackjack and the Melbourne Cup and other gambling winnings are tax free, when writers' awards are not," Ms Funder said earlier this year.



"Writing is at least as much of a gamble, and has a lot more social benefit to the nation. We should encourage writers - who generally have other jobs that are taxed - and not tax them when they receive this recognition."



Media Contact:  Georgie Klug 0438 376 082