Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund
Brad ROWSWELL (Sandringham) (16:37): The Allan Labor government has slapped a $3 billion tax on Victorians at a time when they can least afford it. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis the Allan Labor government are charging Victorians $3 billion to help the Allan Labor government manage the economic mess, which they have created and which is of their own making, through the charging of their emergency services tax. In my community many businesses and many residents have been impacted by this tax, and I would like to share with the house just a few of those examples. For an 80-square metre storage unit in Cheltenham, the Bayside council rates – and credit to Bayside council for freezing rates this year – are $937. The Labor government tax is $1139. I make that available to the house. For the ice cream shop in Sandringham village, Sandy Scoops, the council rates are $1720. The Victorian government emergency services tax is $1738. For Flavours patisserie in Black Rock their emergency services tax from this government is $1605. For Park Road Timber & Hardware in Park Road, Cheltenham, the emergency services tax for one property is $3932.50 and for another property is $3001.50. Only electing a Liberal and National government will ensure that this tax is scrapped and that money is put back in the pockets of hardworking Victorians.