Labor under fire from Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell: ‘This is not the way to run policy’

The opposition says the government is lying and can’t be trusted on its promise that Victorians won’t face new tax hikes.

Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell has blasted a government assurance that Victorians won’t face new tax hikes as part of changes to the state’s taxation laws, calling the promise a “big fat lie”.

Treasurer Tim Pallas was on Wednesday forced to clarify that he wouldn’t impose further tax hikes – beyond an announcement it would begin taxing all homes across the state that are vacant for more than six months from 2025.

Earlier on Wednesday, both Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson and Premier Jacinta Allan refused to rule out new taxes as part of the state’s taxation bill, forcing Mr Pallas to clarify confusion.

When introducing the Bill to parliament, Mr Pallas said it would amend several tax measures including the Windfall Gains Tax, the Land Tax Act and the Stamp Duty Act.

Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

He said it will also amend the First Home Owner Grant and Homebuyer Schemes.

Mr Pallas said taxpayers will not be hit with higher charges, with the exception of the reforms to vacant land tax revealed on Tuesday.

“I can say with absolutely certainty that the changes we have made … none of these changes have any impact upon the revenue base of the state,” he said.

“By and large, these changes either fix up errors in the drafting of the law or indeed put in place arrangements to ensure that the integrity of the legislative scheme has understood and applied, continues to be understood and applied.”

Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

The Herald Sun this week first revealed that Mr Pallas outlined further tax measures to industry, including changes to both the Windfall Gains Tax and the state’s land tax.

But Mr Rowswell said Victorians could not trust Mr Pallas’ promise to not increase taxes.

“That is a big fat lie from a Treasurer and a government that cannot be trusted by the Victorian people,” he said.

“I’m fully expecting them to introduce new taxes as part of this bill but frankly it’s difficult for me to comment until we see those details on Thursday.

Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“This is not the way to run policy. You can’t introduce a Bill into parliament with no detail.

“In the last nine years, this Labor government have introduced more than 50 taxes.

“Victorians know the truth about this.

“When the Andrews government, and now the Allan Labor government, have a problem they tax Victorians more. They make Victorians’ lives harder when they can least afford it.”