Victoria’s skyrocketing taxes and government incompetence continue to cause difficulties for local property owners, with several reports of bills being sent incorrectly in recent months.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said one of the most egregious examples of these land tax bills being sent was a Benalla local receiving a bill of nearly $800 for payments on a property that he sold over 17 years ago.
“This government’s greed when it comes to hounding regional property owners has resulted in significant distrust and dissatisfaction from our community,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Some of the land tax concerns being sent to us are truly shocking.
“Whether it be sending bills to people who have sold properties 17 years ago, or bills being sent to children and the deceased, this pursuit of additional funds to cover up Labor’s irresponsible spending has been an embarrassment.”
These reports follow additional burdens being placed on farmers, with the exemption process for primary producers recently being made far more difficult with little clarity being provided about their new tax liabilities.
“Our farmers are under enough stress as it is without the added burden of piles of paperwork,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The lack of clarity from this government about the land tax exemptions has left our farmers concerned about how they can prove to the SRO that they are legitimate primary producers.
“This government needs to provide more information about the new criteria to ensure none of our primary producers are stuck with undeserved and cruel land tax bills.”
Ms Cleeland said property taxes under Labor were truly hurting regional communities, many of whom continue to struggle with cost-of-living pressures.
“We already pay the highest property taxes in the nation,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Now, families and businesses face even more pain with Labor reducing the land tax threshold, hiking emergency service contributions, 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.
