Liberal Government raising taxes by stealth

Labor Leader Bryan Green today accused the Liberal State Government of breaking another election promise by raising taxes by stealth.

Mr Green said Tasmanian ratepayers are facing steep increases in the Fire Service Levy to off-set budget cuts to frontline community services.

“The Tasmanian Fire Service is being forced to raise extra revenue by increasing the fire levy,” Mr Green said.

“Emergency Services Minister Rene Hidding today refused to rule out that the hike is because the TFS now also has to fund the operations of the State Emergency Service.

Mr Green said Tasmanian ratepayers are facing increases in the levy of up to 10 per cent.

“Funding for the SES previously came from consolidated revenue through Tasmania Police.

“The Government’s decision to shift the cost onto the Tasmanian Fire Service effectively means Tasmanians are being taxed twice.

“Rene Hidding has admitted there is now no sustainable funding model for the SES but has washed his hands of the serious impact it is having on the TFS budget.

“The TFS has had no alternative but to increase the fire levy to offset budget cuts and increased costs.

“Mr Hidding needs to come clean and accept responsibility for the tax increase.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader