Land tax
Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (14:31): My question is to the Treasurer. The Fernando family purchased land in Clyde North to build their dream home, a big financial and emotional decision. The first builder they signed up with, sadly, passed away. Sometime later the Fernando family signed up with Smarthomes, and they moved into their dream home on 20 March 2019. This year Labor sent the Fernando family a land tax bill for their home, their primary place of residence. Will the Treasurer cancel the Fernandos’ tax bill?
Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (14:32): I thank the member for his question, and I make it very clear to the member that the government has a legislative framework within which the State Revenue Office undertake their responsibility. They take it seriously, and they are required to exercise it independently. With regard to Shamini Fernando’s issues, I do not want to bore the Parliament by going into much detail on this particular section of the tax code and how these rules have changed over time, but the crux of the case is that Ms Fernando did not meet her tax obligations and as such is not entitled to a tax break. This is the advice that I have received from the State Revenue Office. It would be unfair to other taxpayers to waive those rules – to other taxpayers who have met their obligations – and to treat Ms Fernando in any other way.
Brad BATTIN (Berwick) (14:33): The Fernandos are here with us in Parliament today. Just last week Mrs Fernando was shopping for groceries just to live. When the bill reached $200 she told the cashier to stop processing as she could not afford any more of the food that was on that conveyor belt. Why is the Treasurer forcing the Fernandos to choose between paying an illegal land tax bill and their family, to put food on the table?
Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (14:34): I thank the member for his supplementary question, but I do make the point that the matter of the application of the law is ultimately the responsibility of the State Revenue Office. People do have rights of appeal and they also have rights to appear before the judicial processes in this state, and it is entirely wrong and inaccurate for the member to suggest that there has been anything other than full compliance with the law in this respect. However, in circumstances where the Fernandos may indeed need support and assistance, I can make available the State Revenue Office to assist them in terms of a schedule of repayment of their liabilities to the state.