Greens slam Betfair tax cut
DAMIEN BROWN | August 27, 2010 12.01am

THE Tasmanian Greens have accused the State Government of "bending over to big business", at the expense of smaller struggling operators.

Greens gaming spokesman Kim Booth yesterday criticised the passing of legislation that handed Betfair a tax cut, saying it threatened business stability in the state.

Greens' Cabinet representatives Nick McKim and Cassy O'Connor abstained from voting on the Bill in Cabinet this week.

When the tax break was announced in February to help keep Betfair afloat, Mr Bartlett said it would reduce revenue by about $2 million over two years but in June's State Budget the figure had jumped to about $5 million, reducing revenue from Betfair from $7.3 million to $2.4 million.

Liberal treasury spokesman Peter Gutwein said that after giving the deal extensive consideration, it was decided it was worth saving 130 jobs.

"Although there is a significant drop in revenue for the state, we believe there will still be some significant taxation revenue received from the company, which is better than having no revenue at all if they were to leave."