Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Sunday 11th April 2010

New Labor tax

Just three days after the election outcome, Labor have revealed a new $30 per year tax on southern Tasmanians.

In a story leaked to a southern Tasmanian newspaper, it has been revealed that Southern Water will require 65,000 Tasmanians to pay a new tax of $30 per year - for 15 years - to fund compulsory water meters.

For many people, this new $30 per year tax is more than the meagre savings brought about as a result of Labor’s back-flip on water and sewerage bills last year.

Before the election, Mr Bartlett told Tasmanians that “The Government will also make a submission this week to the Australian Government to seek to secure $10 million in funding to support a universal meter rollout, which would significantly reduce costs.” (David Bartlett press release, 30th November 2009).

He failed to advise Tasmanians that this “significantly reduced cost” would still be $30 per year.

He also failed to advise Tasmanians before the election that this funding submission to the Australian Government has failed.

This is yet further proof that despite all Mr Bartlett’s talk about trust, nothing has changed and that this government - which is grounded in deceit - will continue to deceive Tasmanians.

Mr McKim campaigned on cost of living issues – my challenge to him is this:

Will he vote to support the continuation of this Labor Government, and this new $30 per year tax, when given the opportunity to do so on the first parliamentary sitting day?