Monday, 2 July 2018

Cost of Living in Kingston Surges from 1 July

Families in the City of Kingston who are already struggling to manage their household finances are
about to wear more financial pain thanks to Labor.

Last week in State Parliament, State Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region, Inga Peulich
MLC moved a motion condemning the Andrews Labor Government for its complacency in curbing
the spiraling cost of living that surged on 1 July.

Families in the City of Kingston are already paying for Daniel Andrews and Labor’s
mismanagement of the economy that has now got worse with 12 new taxes.

Ms Peulich said that when Daniel Andrews tripled taxes on Latrobe Valley power stations, he put
Hazelwood out of business, sending the cost of electricity and gas soaring.

This has resulted in soaring electricity bills for Kingston households with average increases of $300
according to St Vincent De Paul Society.

Labor has allowed this and other utility prices to increase by an average of 13% each year, and
has done nothing but offer $50 in hush money to visit a price comparison site.

On 1 July, running a car in Victoria became more expensive with standard car registration fees set
to increase from $800.80 to $816.50 while EastLink and CityLink tolls also rose with the maximum
toll for one way trips taken on EastLink set to increase to $6.25 and on CityLink to $8.10.

Daniel Andrews’ new $1 tax for all taxi and Uber trips will particularly affect passengers living in
the regions and the elderly who use taxis to get to and from medical appointments.

Fines and penalties increased with the value of a penalty unit to rise from $158.57 to $161.19
which will result in fines for exceeding the speed limit by less than ten kilometres exceed $200 for
the first time.

Before the last election, Daniel Andrews promised “no new taxes” but after the election he was
responsible for imposing 12 new or increased taxes.

Not only are these new taxes a burden, but City of Kingston council rates rose by up to 2.25%,
this year.
You couldn’t trust Daniel Andrews’ on no new taxes then and you can’t trust his word on no new
taxes now. The Andrews Labor Government is to blame for:
1. Tripled brown coal royalties
2. Introduced Uber and taxi fare taxes
3. Increased stamp duty on new cars
4. New stamp duty on off-the-plan purchasers
5. New so-called ‘vacant home’ tax
6. New annual property valuations to increase land tax
7. New stamp duty on property transfers between spouses
8. New point of consumption gambling tax
9. Increased fire services property levy
10. New land tax surcharge (subsequently tripled) for absentee owners
11. New stamp duty surcharge (subsequently increased) for foreign purchasers
12. New city access tax for West Gate Tunnel
(Note that this list does not include changes to Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution levies,
the $140 million increase in property transfer fees or a host of other fee gouges under Labor.)

Comments attributable to Inga Peulich MLC:

“Families in the City of Kingston who are already struggling to manage their household finances
are about to wear more financial pain under the Andrews Labor Government.”

“Before the last election, Daniel Andrews promised “no new taxes” but after the election he was
responsible for imposing 12 new or increased taxes on Kingston residents.”

“Only the Liberal-National Coalition is committed to curbing the ever-increasing cost of living
through responsible fiscal management and sound economic policies.”

Contact: Inga Peulich MLC (03) 9772 1366