The minority Liberal government’s refusal to dump its unfair new fire tax model shows it is completely out of touch with Tasmanian business, the community and fire and emergency experts.
Tasmanian Labor understands as well as anyone the need for a modern, well-equipped and fairly funded fire service and SES but the fire tax model presented by the Liberals punishes people who can least afford it and doesn’t fix the problem.
It has alienated the business community, with the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry describing it as unfair and criticising the Premier for pretending it is anything but a massive new tax that will disproportionately impact businesses.
It has also drawn the ire of the Tasmanian Business Council and the Property Council as well as farmers, local councils and homeowners who will be hit by a 300 per cent increase in costs at a time when they are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
For larger commercial and agricultural properties, the increase is expected to be more than 1,000 per cent – adding tens of thousands of dollars annually to businesses struggling with the rising cost of doing business, high inflation and skyrocketing energy prices.
It is yet another broken promise from a minority government that promised stable, majority government – along with no new taxes.
Given the opportunity in Parliament today to show he is listening to stakeholders, the Premier again claimed he was whilst simultaneously refusing to take their concerns on board.
The Premier is fooling no-one and until he demonstrates that he can not only listen to stakeholders but also act on their concerns, Tasmanians can have no trust in his minority Liberal government.
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
