Tourists visiting Victoria will face higher fees for short-term stays as the Andrews Government refuses to rule out implementing more taxes on the holiday industry.
Labor has already targeted housing in order to pay down its crippling state debt, with this month’s state budget hitting landlords with increases to land tax.
Victoria has a vibrant tourism industry with entire communities relying on the visitor spend, and has been one of the hardest hit industries over the past three years.
A further cash grab will only hurt Victorians who have worked hard to purchase a holiday home, forcing up rents, and turning tourists away from our great state.
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events, Sam Groth, said instead of taxing hard-working Victorians, the government should be easing the pressure on the industry by unlocking more land for housing.
”Make no mistake, this tax is an attack on aspirational Victorians and will only hurt those who’ve done their bit to get ahead,” Mr Groth said.
“Further taxes on landlords won’t address the real problem, and that is increasing supply for long-term rentals.
”We should be doing all we can to encourage tourists to experience what our state has to offer, such as the Mornington Peninsula, Great Ocean Road, High Country and the Murray. Another tax is only going to push up prices further and make a short getaway unaffordable for many Victorian families.”
