The government's response to the much anticipated Henry Review has attracted a lukewarm appraisal from commentators and lawyers are adding their voice to the dissatisfied chorus.

"My general reaction is that the [government's response] hasn't addressed the Henry Review at all - and I don't think that's a solo reaction," said HopgoodGanim taxation and revenue special counsel, Damian O'Connor. He describes the reform measures announced by the government over the weekend as a series of "headline tax issues" rather than the fundamental reforms which had been widely anticipated. "For example, the rationalisation of state taxes across the federation, which goes back to the introduction of GST was, on my understanding, in the terms of reference - we haven't seen anything about that." 

Overall, O'Connor says that he has not seen any evidence that the announced reforms will simplify business processes - although he says that the jury may still be out. "Come the budget, they may wheel out further reforms - but given that it's an election year, they may not embrace any of the hard stuff," said O'Connor. He says that he would have at least have expected a broader timeframe for further government announcements in this space, but no such timeframe has been forthcoming.

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