The introduction of more, and higher, taxes are set to have a profound impact on local businesses in the near future.
After the announcement of Victoria’s State Budget for 2023/24 in May, it became clear that Victorians will be getting a budget that will see them pay more while getting less.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the tax increases will be felt by many local businesses, many of which are only just starting to recover following a difficult stretch of COVID lockdowns and floods.
“The fallout from the Labor Government’s irresponsible fiscal strategy is being transferred to businesses across the State,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This impact will be felt on the 150,000 small businesses in regional Victoria that generate jobs, that generate investment in the productivity capacity of the state, and that provide Victorians with the opportunity they need to get ahead.
“These taxes will impact businesses like Wine by Sam in Seymour, which pivoted during COVID and increased their partnerships and online sales capability while continuing to produce award-winning wines enjoyed by many.
“We’ve got businesses that have survived COVID, they’ve survived the floods, and now their punishment is high taxes.”
Ms Cleeland said she had met with several businesses across the Euroa electorate in recent times, including holding a business roundtable in Seymour with local industry leaders and Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell.
Nagambie, Euroa, Kilmore, and Seymour were all represented at the roundtable, focusing on regional investment, tax-induced strain placed on local businesses, and overspending by the Andrews Government
“They’re really struggling and it’s important to ensure that our local businesses are not the ones being impacted by irresponsible spending by the Labor Government,” Ms Cleeland said.
“There’s genuine fear regional Victoria is going to pay the price of the overspending in Melbourne.
“At the moment, regional communities are only receiving 13 per cent of funding for projects across the state despite making up 25 per cent of the population.
“This disparity means that regional communities are only receiving 50 per cent of what they should be, yet they are still facing the same consequences of high taxes.
“We’re seeing these taxes cripple local businesses as well as the budgets of households across the state.”
Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell said the higher taxes would be felt by all Victorians.
“The unfortunate reality is that for as long as this government is in power, every Victorian will continue to pay more and get less because this government simply cannot manage money,” Mr Rowswell said.
“I say to every Victorian: you deserve better. You deserve a government that backs you and delivers value for money with your hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”
