Dan Tells Victorians ‘Happy New Taxes and Charges’

Shadow Treasurer, Michael O’Brien

1 January 2017 marks not only a new year but a range of new Labor taxes and charges on Victorian households.

From today, Victorians can expect to pay an extra $300 per household for gas and electricity. This rise is largely due to the impending closure of Hazelwood power station, caused by Labor’s 300 per cent increase in coal charges which also commences today.

Business users of gas and electricity will pay much more, putting greater pressure on small business and manufacturing.

From today, Victorians will pay more an extra $27 million on their water bills due to an unnecessary water order from Labor’s white elephant desalination plant. This is on top of the nearly $700 million annual cost of just operating the plant. As it turns out, the desal plant doesn’t even work yet Victorians still have to pay.

From today, Myki users will be slugged an extra $78 on annual fares, while a range of other fees, levies and charges have increased.

Today, land taxes surcharges on certain properties will also triple from 0.5% to 1.5%.

Since coming to office Labor has increased state taxes by $3.7 billion; an increase of 20 per cent. State taxes are now equivalent to 5.5% of our economy; up from 4.8% since the election.

But Daniel Andrews has more financial pain in the pipeline. In 2017 Uber users face the prospect of paying an extra $2 per trip under Labor’s Uber tax while Victorian families may be forced to pay a new ‘family violence tax’. All Victorians support measures to tackle family violence but only Daniel Andrews thinks that these measures are less important than everything in the existing $60 billion Victorian budget.
Comments attributable to Shadow Treasurer Michael O’Brien MP

Everywhere you turn in 2017, Daniel Andrews will have his hand in your pocket.

Daniel Andrews runs the highest taxing government in Victorian history, yet basic services are getting worse.

Under Labor when you shower in the morning, you’ll pay more. Catch the train to work, you’ll pay more. Pour a cup of tea, you’ll pay more. Cook dinner, you’ll pay more.

Everywhere you turn, Daniel Andrews is making life more expensive for hard working Victorians.

Media contact:         Michael Lewis         0433 495 454         michael.lewis@opposition.vic.gov.au