Tax relief offered to Victorian bushfire victims
Victorian families whose homes were destroyed or substantially damaged during the bushfires will be given a tax break, with properties used as free accommodation also offered reprievals.
VIC News
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Victorian families and businesses devastated by the bushfires will be given immediate tax relief.
The state government is promising tax breaks, and businesses and people whose homes were destroyed or substantially damaged will be exempt from land tax this year.
Those suffering less severe damage will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Land tax will be also waived on eligible properties used as free accommodation, while up to $55,000 will be slashed from stamp duty for those who decide not to rebuild and instead buy elsewhere.
People who lost cars can receive up to $2100 in ex-gratia relief from the duty on up to two replacement vehicles.
“The last thing people need to worry about when they are rebuilding after bushfires is the next tax bill coming in,” Treasurer Tim Pallas said.
Meanwhile, a firefighter killed on duty on Saturday is being remembered as heroic.
Bill Slade, 60, was a selfless firefighter with four decades of service to Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Management.
He was killed by a falling tree at Anglers Rest near Omeo, taking the state’s bushfire death toll to four.
“He was wonderful, there wasn’t a soul that didn’t love him,” niece Rachel Coyne said.
“He was hard working and adored his family.”
The Wonthaggi man is survived by wife Carol and children Ethan, 22, and Steph, 20.
The cattle farmer was a life member of Kilcunda Bass Football Club. His brother-in-law, Les Hender, said he “couldn’t get a better friend”.
“He made all his mates look bad because he was so perfect,” Mr Hender said.
He joined Parks Victoria aged 17 and was recognised in November with an award for 40 years of service.
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An emergency warning issued on Sunday night urged residents of Bennies, Cheshunt South, Markous, Rose River, Top Crossing and Wabonga to leave.
But milder conditions across most of the state next week will allow emergency services to rest and consolidate fire containment lines.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday called for a national co-ordinated response to bushfire disasters as such tragedies threatened to become “the new normal”.
Mr Andrews said he had raised the matter with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“Just as we have all our Victorian emergency services working as one team, how do we fold the ADF and other federal bodies into that team, not as a special request but as something that is there every summer?” Mr Andrews said.