GST could be put to a public vote under one of three proposals lodged by a Deputy, in the latest bid to derail the tax reform proposals from Policy and Resources (P&R).
Deputy Liam McKenna submitted an amendment calling for a referendum asking Guernsey residents a simple yes-or-no question: “Do you support the introduction of a GST (goods and services tax)?”
He argued that GST has consumed too much political and governmental time over the past five years and should be decided directly by the public.
The proposed referendum is one of three separate measures he has lodged ahead of next week’s debate on P&R’s tax package.
A second amendment would see the States reject GST altogether, rescind a 2024 resolution directing P&R to prepare proposals for the tax, and halt all work related to its introduction.
Meanwhile, a ‘sursis’ – or delaying motion – seeks to postpone the debate until deputies have received a report from the new Chief Resources Officer and evidence that Revenue Services has cleared its backlog and can manage future workloads – or until July 2028, whichever comes sooner.
Deputy McKenna said greater clarity was needed on the States’ finances and the performance of Revenue Services before deputies made a decision on major tax reforms.
Deputy McKenna is not the only States member trying to block the tax proposals, with Deputies Garry Collins and Haley Camp also lodging amendments to the package – including setting up a cost-cutting watchdog and scrapping most personal tax returns.
All the proposals will be considered alongside P&R’s preferred tax reform package when it comes before the States next week.
