Land tax
James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:16): My question is to the Premier. A Rochester resident whose house was damaged by the floods and who was forced to move to a rental property whilst repairs are being undertaken is being charged land tax. She said, ‘Our lives have been turned upside down by the flood, and while we are trying to repair our home, the government is hitting us with land tax.’ Is the government really so desperate for cash that it is doggedly pursuing flood victims to pay land tax for its financial mismanagement?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:17): I thank the member for Brighton for his question. As someone who knows the Rochester community well – but perhaps not as well as the local member, the member for Murray Plains, knows the Rochester community – if the member for Brighton can provide those details, I will follow this matter up and I will particularly also seek advice from the member for Murray Plains. Of course for those of us who do know Rochester, we do know that they have not just been hit by one flood in recent years; there have been a number of incidents. It is a community that has been doing it tough. It has been challenged by those more frequent and more fierce flood and storm events that I was talking to the house about earlier, which is why we have been supporting the Rochester community, making additional investments in their emergency services, like the CFA and like the State Emergency Service. If the member for Brighton could provide those details, I will follow this matter up.
James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:18): In another case, a Bayside woman who left her home to flee an abusive ex-partner is being forced to pay the government $77,000 in land tax bills. She has since moved back to her home, where she may be at risk, but might now be forced to sell her home to pay these bills. I have attempted to raise this issue seven times with the Premier and had no response over the last year. Why does this government parade around claiming to care about victims of domestic violence and natural disasters while pursuing them for tax to pay for its financial mismanagement?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:19): Speaker, along with you on Saturday I was proud to stand with victims of domestic violence in Bendigo at the What Were You Wearing rally, which was held nationwide, and we will continue to stand with victims of family violence and will continue to stand with communities that are affected by natural disasters. Should the member for Brighton wish to provide the information he has provided to the house, I will be willing to follow it up for him.
James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, I have written to the Premier seven times, as has the victim, and had no response.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier is being relevant.
Jacinta ALLAN: Further to the matter regarding support for family violence victims, the Treasurer has already indicated that we are making changes. We are making changes – and the budget will be handed down next week – because we recognise that there are particular circumstances for some vulnerable people in our community. I choose to support them, and I would appreciate the member for Brighton providing the relevant details so we can continue to do that.
Tim Richardson interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mordialloc can leave the chamber for half an hour.
Member for Mordialloc withdrew from chamber.