Thursday, 2 May 2024

Budget 2024–25

Brad ROWSWELL (Sandringham) (14:19): My question is to the Treasurer. Today the Treasurer stated:

It’s not our intention to increase the burden either on developers or on business in the context of this budget.

Will the Treasurer rule out any new or increased property taxes in next week’s budget?

Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (14:20): I thank the member for Sandringham for his question. I can give him this rock-solid assurance: I will deliver the budget on Tuesday next week, and incorporated within the budget will be the government’s vision for the future. It will also incorporate the outstanding economic success that constitutes the performance of this government. Might I also say –

Members interjecting.

Tim PALLAS: There they go, laughing at the 560,000 Victorians that have got a job, putting down the outstanding economic success story that is this state. This government will reveal its budget in due course, and you will also get the opportunity to read it and to contemplate what could have been if you had only ever developed any competence whatsoever in your short four –

The SPEAKER: Order! Treasurer, through the Chair.

Tim PALLAS: If those opposite had demonstrated some capacity rather than losing the opportunity to govern by wasting four years and turning Victoria into an economic basket case. Let me tell you, now it is far from that; it is a standout performing economy in the nation.

Brad ROWSWELL (Sandringham) (14:21): Ah, deary me. The Treasurer confirmed this morning that the government has informed the housing industry about a new livability charge which will hit home owners in every postcode across Melbourne and in every town across Victoria. When will this new tax be introduced?

The SPEAKER: Best leave the sighs and frustration to the Chair, member for Sandringham.

Tim PALLAS (Werribee – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Economic Growth) (14:22): Thanks, Speaker. Ah –

The SPEAKER: Order! I will give you the same advice, Treasurer.

Tim PALLAS: The brutality of the attack is overwhelming; I can barely stand it. Can I assure the member that the government is always talking to the development industry. We are doing that because they often seek to talk to us about how we can best manage the economy and indeed the settings within which they operate. We will continue to talk to them, but we have no plans to effectively put in place any specific charge. We simply are prepared to engage with the industry to try and deal with their aspirations for the future.