Victorians are buckling under the weight of Labor’s skyrocketing property taxes, with alarming new figures revealing that over one in three overdue tax bills are remaining unpaid for more than 12 months.
The Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) 2023-24 annual report highlights that 33.45 per cent of overdue tax debts remain outstanding for over a year, underscoring the financial strain on households and businesses.
The surge in overdue payments follows significant land tax increases and an expanded taxpayer base in 2022 and 2023. In response to this crisis, the department has allocated additional resources and initiated “targeted debt reduction activities” to tackle the mounting backlog.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said these figures reflect the growing financial pressures inflicted by Labor’s relentless tax policies.
“Victorians are being crushed under Labor’s tax regime, with over 50 new or increased taxes introduced since they came to power,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We already pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Now, families and businesses face even more pain with Labor reducing the land tax threshold, hiking fire services levy payments, and introducing a 7.5 per cent tax on short-stay accommodation.
“These new taxes are pushing everyday Victorians to breaking point. Many in regional communities are facing land tax bills for the first time or seeing them rise dramatically.”
The impact in regional Victoria has been stark. In the Euroa electorate, 1,763 landowners in Mitchell Shire, 437 in Strathbogie Shire, and 429 in Benalla saw significant increases in their land tax liabilities in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Ms Cleeland warned the tax bill backlog will worsen as more Victorians are unable to meet rising financial demands.
“Labor’s poor financial management is leaving Victorians to pick up the pieces. Families, retirees, and small businesses are bearing the brunt of policies that are squeezing every dollar out of communities already struggling with rising costs,” she said.
“Labor cannot manage money and Victorians are paying the price.
“It’s time for a government that understands how to manage money responsibly and prioritises supporting Victorians rather than burdening them with endless taxes.”
Ms Cleeland said the backlog of unpaid bills highlights the urgent need for economic reform to alleviate the strain on hardworking Victorians.
