Constituency questions
Ferntree Gully electorate
Mr WAKELING (Ferntree Gully) (14:43): (6406) My constituency question is for the Treasurer. Knox families and small businesses are being left behind as the state suffers, with many residents struggling to cope with the soaring prices of housing, the increases in power and heating costs, the price of food going through the roof, educational costs and of course the spike in fuel costs—which I know we cannot control; however, it does not diminish the impact and effect it is having on our residents. Many people who live in Knox rely on cars. Not everybody has access to public transport, so they must be able to fill the tank if they need to go to the doctors or get their kids to school or need help to go to work. The government, however, has responded by introducing 42 new taxes and charges. My question is: Minister, why is the government introducing these new taxes and charges and not providing support for Knox families to deal with their cost-of-living challenges?