Consultation
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Reform living-away-from-home benefits
Name
Mrs Toriana Henderson
Organisation
Email
Toriana_henderson@hotmail.co
Are you submitting on behalf of your Company
No
Do you want your submission to be confidential
No
Accessibility Statement
Submission files
Support files
Submission text
Dear Treasury, 

I understand the need to generate additional revenue but a month's notice or less is not sufficient time to allow families to make alternative arrangements. It would be more prudent to offer foreign workers a shorter transitional period, e.g. Three month to six month transitional period. Many Lahfa recipients are committed to lease agreements, which is not sufficient time to break lease agreements or seek other housing arrangements. Many Lahfa recipients have children which are attending schools or day care center, which they may not be able to afford, and need to make alternative arrangements. 

I believe that there is a misconception about foreign Lahfa recipients, that they are free riding. This is definitely a misconception as they are paying for Medicare benefits that they are not eligible for and are required to pay full price Childcare expenses.They are also contributing to the Australian economy and filling a technical/ expert gap in the market place, and are often receiving less pay than an Australian worker. 

I respectfully request the government to consider a shortened transitional period to allow workers and their families to make alternative agreements, and not lose rental deposits for lease breaks. 
Kind regard, 
Toriana Henderson