Aldermen express ‘serious concerns’ at Lord Mayor’s tourist tax plan

Half of the Lord Mayor’s Hobart City Council colleagues have denounced her call for a tourist tax.

New Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

HALF of the Lord Mayor’s Hobart City Council colleagues have denounced her call for a tourist tax with the policy position being likened to one from former lord mayor Ron Christie’s playbook.

Aldermen Simon Behrakis, Tanya Denison, Jeff Briscoe, Marti Zucco, Damon Thomas and Peter Sexton have all expressed “serious concerns” over the comments made by Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds suggesting a “small” levy should be imposed on tourists visiting Hobart.

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“We respectfully call on the Lord Mayor to consult with her colleagues before making statements like this that aren’t necessarily supported by the Council,” the group said.

“The Lord Mayor is entitled to her view, but she needs to ensure her personal opinions are not confused with Hobart City Council policy.”

Ald Reynolds said she wanted to investigate the introduction of a levy to help the city council fund tourist infrastructure so the burden didn’t fall on ratepayers.

The idea was rejected by the State Government.

“Sadly the new Lord Mayor is making negative comments against tourism which are not supported by the council and seems is out of former lord mayor Christie’s rule book — not a good start,” Ald Briscoe said.

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Ald Zucco said a tourist tax would place jobs and businesses in Hobart and surrounding areas at risk.

“As the capital city we have a responsibility to make sure that policies put forward will not have a negative impact on the region,” he said.

“Any proposed tourist tax will be another burden that overworked business people would have to find time to administer.”

Ald Behrakis said the council should focus on “reducing the burden of red tape on small business and cutting down on bureaucracy, not adding further hurdles” that would hurt one of the region’s core industries.

Ald Denison said those working in the industry and their families would ultimately “bear the burden” of a tourist tax through reduced visitor numbers.

State Opposition Leader Rebecca White said Labor did not support the idea.

Only the Greens, who have two members on the Council – Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnet and Ald Bill Harvey – supported the proposal.