ExclusiveHong Kong may lose Australian talent to Singapore if Canberra puts tax squeeze on expats, business chamber chief warns
- Chamber suggests double taxation treaty as Canberra proposal could leave certain expats paying in two places if they stay in Australia beyond 45 days
- Chairwoman Josephine Orgill says Hong Kong remains attractive to Australians but urges city to broaden talent schemes
The head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong has called on the government to negotiate a double taxation treaty with Canberra, saying such a deal would ensure the city remained attractive to talent from the country that might otherwise go to regional rival Singapore.
In her first interview with Hong Kong media since becoming chamber chairwoman last year, Josephine Orgill also recommended broadening the city’s talent schemes to include sectors such as catering and construction, which were severely short of skilled workers.
When asked about changes in the city since Beijing imposed the national security law in 2020 and an exodus of skilled workers, Orgill said Hong Kong remained attractive to Australian talent with “all of the wonderful advantages that it’s ever had,” including a strong financial sector and independent judiciary.
“It has a combination of features that no other regional centre can rival,” she said.