The Liberals’ announcement they will provide rebates
to charities suffering as a result of their new bin tax is an admission their
broken promise is imposing significant new costs across the community.
Labor warned during the debate last year that their
bin tax would increase costs for not-for-profits and would lead to increased
illegal dumping, and this is exactly what has now transpired.
Labor also warned the bin tax would increase costs for
households and small businesses – but it is clear from today’s announcement they
will get no relief whatsoever. This is a massive oversight given the
significant cost of living pressures families and businesses are currently
facing.
The Liberals went to the last election promising no
new taxes. Since then they have forced council rates up with their new bin tax,
and have sent electricity bills soaring with their $50 million power tax.
If the Liberals were serious about offsetting the cost
of their bin tax, they could simply admit the policy will do nothing to reduce
household waste, be true to their pre-election promise of “no new taxes”, and
abolish the bin tax altogether.
Otherwise, with Tasmania’s debt at record levels and interest rates continuing to rise, Tasmanians will rightly wonder what other new taxes they are planning to fix their broken budget.
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Treasurer
