Daniel Andrews: ‘We’ve got no plans to introduce any new taxes’

The opposition has criticised Daniel Andrews’ “weasel words” after the Premier was quizzed on tax policies.

Daniel Andrews insists he has “no plans” to slug Victorians with any new taxes in the lead up to the November election.

The Premier on Thursday announced his government would pour an extra $13.6m into the state’s new public IVF clinic to give an extra 1000 people a chance at starting a family.

How the government intends to pay for its election commitments will be revealed in an upcoming pre-election budget update.

But Mr Andrews assured the policy pledges wouldn’t result in further pain for taxpayers.

“We can play rule in rule out games all you like,” he said.

Daniel Andrews says the government’s election commitments will be revealed in an upcoming pre-election budget update. Picture: Brendan Beckett

“We need to promote growth across our Victorian economy, employment, skills, investment, and we’ve got no plans to introduce any new taxes.

“But I’m not here today to announce six week’s worth of policy.

“We’ll make lots of announcements and it’ll all be there for people to see very clearly.

“Victorians can be confident that we are all about funding additional services, not cuts and closures.”

But the state opposition said the Premier couldn’t be trusted to keep his word.

On the eve of the 2014 election, Mr Andrews promised not to increase or introduce any new taxes while live on Channel 7.

“I make that promise … to every single Victorian,” he told 7 News presenter Peter Mitchell.

Shadow Treasurer David Davis said Victorians had “seen these weasel words before”.

“Despite promising no new taxes prior to the 2014 election, Daniel Andrews has introduced or increased a massive 43 new taxes since this time,” he said.

“In contrast to Labor’s ever-increasing taxes, the Liberals and Nationals have real solutions to ease cost of living pressures for families.

“By reining in Daniel Andrews’ record debt, we can guarantee no new taxes.

“This November the choice is clear. Four more years of higher taxes under Daniel Andrews or more money in your pocket under the Liberals and Nationals.”

‘Game changer’ public fertility service to open

Australia’s first public IVF service will open its doors in Melbourne next week, providing thousands of Victorian families with free fertility treatment.

The first two locations will provide both face-to-face and telehealth consultations to a small number of patients initially, before gradually expanding the service over the next two years.

The services will be carried out by the Royal Women’s Hospital and Monash Health, who will partner with other health services across Victoria to provide state-wide coverage.

Services offered in the program include IVF, fertility preservation, genetic testing, donor and surrogacy services – including Victoria’s first public sperm and egg bank – and a range of other treatments, as well as counselling, information and support.

Daniel Andrews with baby Elliott at The Royal Women’s Hospital. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Satellite sites, which will offer services such as initial consultations and pathology, are also being established in Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton, Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool, Epping, Sunshine and Heidelberg.

Further regional locations will also be announced in coming months.

Under the program, up to 4000 people each year will have access to the services once fully operational, expected to deliver savings of up to $10,000 for eligible Victorians. Two rounds of treatment will be offered.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday pledged to invest an additional $13.6 million into the service, offering an additional 1000 places in the program.

“IVF can be a game changer for people who might be struggling to have a child, but too often and for too many, it’s financially out of reach,” he said.

“Our Australian-first public fertility service will remove the cost barrier for thousands of eligible aspiring parents – and make it easier for them to start a family of their own.”

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said Labor is “making the system fairer, easier and more accessible for hopeful families”.

“In stark contrast, Matthew Guy’s Liberals have tried to block Victorian women and couples from accessing these life-changing services – they can’t be trusted to support and protect Victorians accessing IVF,” she said.

The opening of the clinic was first an election promise ahead of the 2018 election.

Earlier this year, the state opposition unveiled a bold $160m policy to offer a series of rebates to women undergoing fertility treatments.

Initial rebates of up to $2000 will be available for initial IVF procedure using private fertility clinics, with a further $2000 rebate to undertake a subsequent IVF procedure.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said their plan would provide the flexible support women and families undergoing IVF deserve.

“Cost should never be a barrier for starting a family and our plan will go a long way to help ease the financial and emotional stress of IVF and fertility treatments,” she said.