Taxing times for aid

By Casey Neill
IT’S back to the drawing board for Spirit of Sharing founder Peter Cole with the Fijian Government reneging on a promise to accept his shipping containers filled with donated sporting goods tax free.
Mr Cole received a letter this week from Fiji’s Acting Minister for Finance, National Planning and Sugar Industry, granting him ‘a concessionary rate of free fiscal, free import and 12.5 per cent Value Added Tax’ (VAT).
“I had asked for free VAT and free duty and free fiscal. I was told that yes it was all approved and the letter was on the way,” Mr Cole said.
“It’s very disappointing that we were told yes, that every wish would be fulfilled but then the letter arrives and it tells another story.”
He said fellow Rotary Club members were working on the ground in Fiji to convince the government to allow the shipment tax free.
“We have to remember we are dealing with a government that is in panic mode at current so we have to bear with them and wait the process out,” he said.
“I don’t want this news to dampen the efforts of locals and the wider community in Victoria and across Australia.
“These kids are in as much need as the poorest in the world.”
Due to recent unrest in Fiji, Mr Cole said he had postponed his next Fiji trip indefinitely. I am looking at mid 2009 now but Fiji is expected to have its election in March so I am sure trouble will occur but it’s a matter of how long it will last,” he said.