The Liberal Nations are calling on the Andrews Labor Government to suspend the Vacant Residential Land Tax for 2020.
The tax, imposed on properties in inner and middle Melbourne that are vacant for six months in any calendar year, was introduced by the Andrews Labor Government in 2017.
This affects a wide range of people, such as those who are unable to make their properties tenantable, those who have recently moved into aged care, regional Victorians who have a second property for appointments in Melbourne, and those who are unable to find a tenant due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
To penalise them for an inability to improve or reside in their property, or find a tenant is unfair. It is especially so when many of them may be enduring financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the second wave caused by Labor’s bungling of hotel quarantine.
Regional Victorians are severely restricted in their ability to even travel to Melbourne due to the second wave.
This is why Labor should shelve this blatant cash grab and suspend the Vacant Residential Land Tax for 2020.
Comments attributable to Shadow Treasurer, Louise Staley:
“Victorians are doing it tough under strict restrictions required to deal with the second wave of COVID-19 caused by Labor’s hotel quarantine debacle.
“Many who own a property in inner or middle Melbourne are unable to reside in their properties or find someone else to do so, due to the pandemic.
“And there are many regional Victorians who own properties in Melbourne who can’t even travel for regular appointments due to Stage 4 restrictions.
“For Labor to penalise these Victorians for circumstances out of their control is grossly unfair.
“This is why Daniel Andrews and Labor should bin the Vacant Residential Land Tax for 2020.”
