A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will keep community charities open by scraping Daniel Andrews’ charities tax.
Cutting taxes is an important part of our Long-Term Economic Plan is and is only possible because we will rein in Daniel Andrews’ spiralling debt and cut waste, such as the $4.7 billion West Gate Tunnel blow-out.
New laws introduced in 2021 by the Andrews Labor Government have placed charities including religious groups, scout halls and community centres on the hook for land tax if they allow any of their facilities to be used for community meetings or events.
Under these laws, local charities that casually rent their halls by the hour for events as diverse as a ballet class, support group, choir or scouts would be hit with tens of thousands of dollars of tax.
This enormous cost is a direct threat to the viability of these charities and may leave countless community organisations without access to a suitable location to hold their meetings or events.
This tax, the 43rd new or increased tax under Daniel Andrews, is unfair and will hurt local communities. Therefore, a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will legislate to scrap it.
Shadow Treasurer, David Davis, said Victorian charities deserve to be supported, not slugged with new taxes to pay for Daniel Andrews’ record debt.
“Charities running support groups or community events shouldn’t be the ones to pick up the tab for eight years of Labor waste.”
“By reining in Daniel Andrews’ record debt, the Liberals and Nationals can cut taxes and ease financial pressures on Victorian community organisations, households and small businesses.”
“Only the Liberals and Nationals will scrap this unfair tax and protect charities from Labor’s latest cash-grab.”