Small businesses in the Latrobe Valley have been dealt another blow as the Allan Labor Government’s Emergency Services Tax is rolled out with council rates notices across the region.
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the tax – which replaces the previous Fire Services Property Levy – was an enormous impost on small businesses.
“Our local, hard-working small business community is already struggling under the weight of skyrocketing WorkCover premiums, soaring payroll tax, and record-high power bills,” Mr Cameron said.
“This tax is yet another cruel blow that small businesses are being forced to absorb, all because Labor can’t manage money and is racing towards an eye-watering debt of $194 million by 2028.
“One business owner contacted me last week to report they had received an Emergency Services Tax bill $12,200, up from $5,700 last year.
“It’s no wonder businesses are shutting in record numbers, and there was a staggering 48 per cent increase in insolvencies last financial year alone – proving the cost of doing business in Victoria is far too high under Labor.”
Concerns remain about administration of the Emergency Services Tax, with Labor forcing local councils to collect the tax without clear information on how the funds will be used.
“Most of the money won’t support frontline emergency services or volunteers, but will fill gaps in government budgets,” Mr Cameron said.
The Nationals have committed to scrapping the Emergency Services Tax and reinstating the Fire Services Property Levy to ensure emergency services funding is fair, accountable, and does not punish regional communities.
“Regional Victorians deserve fair treatment, not to be burdened with Labor’s ongoing tax hikes because of its own financial mismanagement,” Mr Cameron said.
Labor can’t manage money, and Victorians are paying the price.
