LAND TAX BACKFLIP PROMPTS CALLS FOR BOOKS TO BE OPENED

As Panicked Premier Makes Policy on the Run

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens said that the today’s land tax announcement by the government smacks of a Premier engaged in a panicked spending spree in a desperate attempt to hang onto power.

Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson Nick McKim MP said that while land tax relief is overdue and necessary, it is impossible to make informed comment on the details of the Premier’s backflip due to the government’s decision to withhold up to date budget information from Tasmanians.

“If Mr Bartlett claims that the impact of the global Financial Crisis has not been as bad as expected are true, he should open the books immediately so that all Tasmanians can see how he is funding his increasingly desperate attempts to buy his way back into electoral favour,” Mr McKim said.

“Mr Bartlett is panicking, making policy on the run, and spending like a drunken sailor in a desperate attempt to hang onto power. “

“Having slashed and burned the public service, apparently there is money available now for Mr Bartlett to try to buy his way back into power. Tasmania’s long suffering public sector workers are entitled to feel ripped off and exploited.”

“This money has either come from cuts to the public sector, or from the sale of assets which Tasmanian were told would be spent on long term infrastructure needs, not short term vote buying.”

“This announcement is ad hoc policy on the run, from a panicked government on the run.”

“Either the books must be opened, or the Mid Year Financial Report should be brought forward, so that we can all see exactly what is the state’s financial situation in an open and transparent manner.”

Mr McKim said that the Greens will release taxation policy, which will include land tax relief, following the release of the Henry Tax review and the release of up to date information on the state budget.
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson