The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for delaying, rather than scrapping, its new emergency services tax, saying the move is purely political and provides no real relief for regional communities.
“Victorians should not be fooled by this announcement,” Ms Benham said.
“This tax has not gone away. Labor is simply pushing it past the next election to avoid criticism from while families, farmers and small businesses.”
Under Labor’s plan, farmers will see their levy increase by around 150 per cent, while rental providers and renters will face a new fixed charge. These changes will add further pressure to households already struggling with rising electricity, fuel, and food costs.
“This is not a change of heart,” Ms Benham said. “Labor is not listening to regional communities. They are playing politics to get past an election without admitting the scale of the financial hit they plan to impose. Regional Victorians are the ones who end up paying the price.”
Ms Benham said local businesses will also feel the impact, with higher operating costs for farmers and rental providers likely to be passed on to tenants, driving up costs for everyday Victorians.
“Families, farmers and small communities deserve certainty, not political games,” she said. “Only a Nationals and Liberals Government will scrap Labor’s emergency services tax and return to the fairer Fire Services Property Levy model. We will make sure regional Victorians are not treated as a cash cow to fund Labor’s mismanagement.”
We will stand with our communities and stop this tax once and for all.”
“Labor can’t manage taxes, it can’t manage emergency services and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
Media contact: Alana McGregor (03) 5021 2828
