After 10 years, 10 budgets, and 55 new or increased taxes, the Labor Government has made life harder for Victorian businesses and added to the cost of goods and services.
Struggling Victorian businesses are being forced to make difficult decisions about whether to keep their doors open, maintain regular operating hours, preserve current offerings and keep staff on.
Over the past decade, Labor has introduced a number of new and increased taxes and charges directly impacting the hospitality sector, including new taxes on jobs and rents, increased landfill levies and significant increases in WorkCover premiums.
Shadow Treasurer, Brad Rowswell said: “Labor cannot manage money and Victorian businesses are battling the highest taxes in the country at a time when the cost of every other expense is going up.
“The Allan Labor Government needs to ease the cost of doing business in Victoria and make going to a restaurant more affordable. Simply doing nothing will only lead to business closures across the state.
Shadow Minister for Small Business, Cindy McLeish, said: “As Victoria’s net debt is set to reach a record $187.8 billion by 2028, with daily interest repayments alone to hit almost $26 million over this same period, small businesses are paying the price.
“The Victorian Liberals and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s call on Labor to reduce the tax impost on Victorian businesses and to reduce the amount of red tape they need to navigate to restore confidence in our hospitality businesses.”
