Australia’s High Court dismisses Uber’s appeal against a payroll tax ruling, deciding the payments Uber makes to drivers amount to “wages” under New South Wales law. As a result, Uber faces an $81 million payroll tax bill.
Outlets across Australia report the same core outcome: Uber unsuccessfully argued it does not employ drivers and that the money paid to them was not wages for NSW payroll tax purposes. ABC Australia frames the decision as a potential trigger for reactions across the wider gig economy. The Guardian adds detail about the legal arguments rejected by the court, including Uber’s contention that it was not an employer and the characterization of payments under state law.
Some outlets also extend the focus to workers, warning that drivers and carers who rely on intermediary models could be at greater risk if companies respond to the ruling. The Nigerian outlet similarly foregrounds the financial consequence, reporting the size of the tax bill.
