The State Opposition welcomes the Napthine Government’s backflip on its fire service property tax for investment flats and short term holiday homes.

But Labor wants a complete review of the tax to make it the ‘fairer and simpler’ levy the Government promised.

Shadow Treasurer, Tim Pallas, said Labor’s campaign to highlight the unfairness of the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) forced the Government to backflip in secret, under the cover of the ongoing crisis in Parliament.

“The Napthine Government has completely botched this tax”

“Labor told the community about the unfairness of this tax and the Government has only just started to listen.

“Denis Napthine and Michael O’Brien must completely review the tax, instead of tinkering around the edges as complaints pour in.

“The Minister can’t guarantee that all funds raised from this tax slug will go directly into CFA and MFB budgets.

This latest backflip follows last year’s decision on community housing organisations being charged the full commercial rate of the Levy.

Key facts:

The removal of the FSL has not reduced premiums. They have risen up to 55 per cent over the last year.

The levy is collected by Councils and not the State Revenue Office, putting the burden on local governments.

To make matters worse, the funds raised from the tax slug are directed into consolidated revenue, not a dedicated fund for the CFA and MFB.