Opposition Leader Alistair Coe has called on the Government to table in the Legislative Assembly the Treasury analysis of the financial and social impacts of its rates reform package.
Mr Coe said hundreds of Canberra residents have contacted the Opposition expressing concern over the Government’s continuing rates increases.
He said young people, families and the elderly were struggling to make ends meet because of the Barr Government’s insatiable appetite to increase rates.
He called on the Government to abandon further planned increases.
“The Labor-Greens Government residential general rates increase of 12 per cent imposes serious financial pressure on home owners,” he said.
“This comes on top of an 18 per cent increase in land tax revenue, placing a further burden on owners and tenants.”
Mr Coe said the Government had compounded the problem by reducing rates, energy and water concessions from those who need them most.
“I fear the Government has not counted the human cost of its rates reform package,” he said.
“Despite the negative impact, the Government has budgeted further increases. Residential general rates will increase by 11 per cent in 2018-19, nine per cent in 2019-20, and a further nine per cent in 2020-21.
“Every day Canberrans have had their finances hijacked by the Chief Minister’s rates reform package. It is imperative that the Government halt its rates reform and present to the Assembly an analysis on its financial and social impacts no later than September 21.”
Do you think the rates reform plan is fair? How else could the Government fund its services?
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