The Oro Governor, Gary Juffa, has called on the government of Papua New Guinea to crack down on tax avoidance in the forestry and fisheries industries as well as in the property and consultancy areas of businesses.
Logs ready for export, Vanimo, Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
The Post Courier reported that Mr Juffa, who is also an opposition MP, had urged the government to establish an intelligence driven tax effort to pinpoint tax avoiders rather than penalise already compliant taxpayers.
This year's budget in PNG introduced a lot of new taxes including increases in alcohol and tobacco excises, a pokies tax and a departure tax.
Mr Juffa said he would also propose a sugar tax in a private members bill in January.
Gary Juffa, PNG Photo: Supplied
He said sugar kills more Papua New Guineans than tobacco and alcohol combined and its toll on human resources can not be ignored.
The tax would discourage the consumption of soft drinks and other unhealthy foods and reduce health costs for people and the government.
He said Mexico is already reaping the benefits of a sugar tax which would also promote local fruit and vegetables in PNG.
