Airbnb tax criticised for creating a roadblock for victims and services

The Allan government is under fire for doing nothing to protect domestic violence victims when introducing its controversial short stay levy.

Domestic violence victims are being slugged with the Victorian government’s controversial new short stay tax when using Airbnbs for emergency accommodation.

Airbnb hosts in the western parts of Victoria have revealed they are being forced to slap victims and domestic violence services with the new 7.5 per cent tax under the new law.

One operator, who requested to remain anonymous for safety, showed the Herald Sun documents and records revealing that a local high-profile domestic violence service was using them to house women fleeing violent homes.

They said at least one tenant had also disclosed to them she was fleeing abuse, however, the operator had no ability to waive the $84 tax the new short stay levy required them to charge for the week-long booking.

One operator says they had no ability to waive the $84 tax even though it was a tenant fleeing abuse. Picture: iStock

Sector sources confirmed to the Herald Sun that it was happening across the state, with traditional hotel accommodation and crisis accommodation in short supply and that the tax was creating a roadblock for victims and would impact organisation’s budgets.

Opposition Prevention of Family Violence, Cindy McLeish said it was a significant impost on victims and services, but that the Allan government had done nothing to protect domestic violence victims when introducing the law.

“We put up an amendment in the Legislative Council for the Short-Stay Levy legislation last year, about waiving it in this situation, and the Labor government voted against it,” Ms McLeish said.

“We have a government that, on the one hand, pretends to care about the most vulnerable members of the community, those escaping domestic violence, but in reality, they are happy to tax everyone.”

“These services are doing their best to help the growing number of domestic violence victims, and they can’t afford to be paying an extra tax, and the victims fleeing by themselves they often have very little and need all the help they can get getting back on their feet.”

A government spokesperson said the “levy does not apply to temporary crisis accommodation providers, and any organisation that is being subject to the levy is encouraged to contact the State Revenue Office for assistance.”

However, exemptions in the legislation specifies only non-profit agencies that receive homelessness support funding from the Victorian Government are eligible for a rebate.

Lowan MP Emma Kealy said that her electorate in regional western Victoria was especially affected by the new tax with there being a short supply of hotel and crisis accommodation.

“It’s just another barrier which will stop women being able to afford safe accommodation away from their family violence perpetrator.”

Domestic violence agencies approached would not comment on the mater, concerned speaking up would impact their government funding.

Originally published as Airbnb tax criticised for creating a roadblock for victims and services