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Martin Cameron calls for investigation into flawed land tax assessments hitting Latrobe Valley residents and businesses

Flawed land tax assessments in Latrobe Valley prompt MP Martin Cameron to call for investigation, citing inflated valuations, unfair charges, and government inaction burdening residents and small businesses.

By news@gippsland - 29th July 2025 - Back to News

Several flawed land tax assessments across the Latrobe Valley have prompted The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, to call for an investigation. Mr Cameron said dozens of residents and small businesses had contacted his office in recent months to highlight errors in their land tax assessments which contain "stacked" land valuations.

Martin Cameron says dozens of locals report inflated land tax bills, with valuations doubling despite no property improvements

Unfair land valuations

Mr Cameron said, "I've written to the Minister for Planning several times and asked how the Valuer-General can possibly claim that single parcels of land, without any capital improvements, have more than doubled in value in the space of a year."

"This isn't an isolated incident either - I've been contacted by dozens of residents and small business owners who are being slugged thousands in land tax, all based on outrageous land valuations. Worse than this is the fact that I've highlighted these clear errors to the Minister, and instead of correcting them she has put the onus on the landholder by claiming they 'have the opportunity to object'."

"Worse again is the fact people are being forced to cough up the money to pay their land tax bill based on wrong valuations, then lodge a formal objection, and hope they might get some of their hard-earned money back. This money should have never left the landowners' pockets in the first place," Mr Cameron said.

Land tax blowout

Mr Cameron added, "Rather than accepting responsibility for repairing its stacked land tax regime, the Allan Labor government is once again shifting the burden to hard-working Victorians. This is a brazen and blatant cash-grab by Labor as part of its land tax regime - all because it's in such a financial mess that it's headed towards a state debt of $186 billion."

"We need a formal investigation into land tax assessments to ensure that hard-working Victorians don't continue to be unfairly slugged because of Labor's incompetence. Labor can't manage money, and Victorians are paying the price," Mr Cameron said.

If you have received a Land Tax Assessment Notice and have questions about the land valuation, contact Mr Cameron's office via email Martin Cameron MP.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged a new three-bay Hazelwood North CFA station, replacing inadequate facilities and supporting volunteers through increased regional infrastructure funding.
• Cr John White recognised for 10 Years of dedicated service representing East Gippsland communities on council
  East Gippsland Councillor John White has been recognised for 10 years of service, including two terms as Mayor, advocating for local priorities and representing communities across government levels.
• Dental experts warn Labor plan could worsen lengthy public dental waits for vulnerable Gippslanders across regional Victoria
  Dental experts warn Labor's proposed public dental expansion could worsen Gippsland wait times, with vulnerable residents already facing waits exceeding two years in some areas.
• Darren Chester visits Aussie Broadband’s Traralgon office, highlighting reliable telecommunications for Gippsland’s regional communities and businesses
  Darren Chester met Aussie Broadband executives in Traralgon to discuss improving regional mobile coverage, faster internet speeds, telecommunications resilience, and investment in local jobs and skills development.
• Moe Inline Hockey Championships secure five-year council funding, expected to boost $15M into local economy through visitor spending
  Latrobe City Council will provide $100,000 over five years to support Moe’s Australian Inline Hockey Club Championships, expected to generate $15 million locally through visitor spending and accommodation.
• The Nationals Leader questions Labor’s environment rules, asking whether cows grazing could trigger land clearing laws for farmers
  Nationals Leader Matt Canavan is demanding clarity on Labor’s environment rules, questioning whether cattle grazing could trigger land clearing regulations and create legal uncertainty for farmers.
• Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
  Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades.
• The Nationals promise apprenticeship training cost cuts, new technical colleges and toll relief to support Gippsland tradies and businesses
  The Nationals propose a $115 million apprenticeship fund, 10 new technical colleges for 5,000 students, and a $50 weekly toll cap to reduce costs, support Gippsland tradies and strengthen regional businesses
• Baw Baw Shire Council keeps fortnightly red bins, weekly FOGO collections despite petition calling for weekly rubbish service
  Baw Baw Council will retain fortnightly red-bin and weekly FOGO collections despite a 6,139-signature petition seeking weekly rubbish services, citing $173,000 annual costs and reduced landfill waste.
• Nationals and Liberals propose $115M apprenticeship fund to help small businesses cut training costs, address skills shortages and create local jobs
  The Nationals and Liberals have announced a proposed $115 million apprenticeship fund to cover 50 per cent of eligible training costs, supporting small businesses, and creating more local career opportunities for Gippsland youth.
• Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
  Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley.
• Liberals and Nationals pledge to double prescribed burning and target five percent annual public land fuel reduction
  The Liberals and Nationals pledge to double prescribed burning and work towards treating five per cent of public land annually, alongside cultural burning, improved transparency and targeted fuel reduction to strengthen bushfire preparedness.
• Bass Coast offers free green waste disposal from 31 October to 22 November to help residents prepare for bushfire season
  Bass Coast Shire Council will accept domestic green waste free at its four waste facilities from 31 October to 22 November 2026, helping residents reduce bushfire hazards before summer.
• Yarram Pool installs new accessibility pod to improve safety, comfort and inclusion for residents with mobility challenges
  Yarram Pool has installed a new accessibility pod following community feedback, providing safer, more comfortable water access for residents with mobility challenges ahead of the summer swimming season.
• The Nationals and farm groups warn EPBC changes create uncertainty for farmers and land management
  Nationals leader Matt Canavan met with farm groups over concerns Labor’s EPBC changes could create uncertainty and regulatory risks. Industry wants amendments, clearer guidance, mapping, support tools and independent review.
• Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and State MPs to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia’s school lunch program
  Darren Chester joined Traralgon Rotary volunteers and MPs Marty Cameron and Melina Bath to prepare 500 sandwiches for Eat Up Australia, providing free school lunches to disadvantaged children across Gippsland.
• Baw Baw Shire expands environmental rebate to encourage reusable products, cut waste and boost community sustainability
  Baw Baw Shire Council has expanded its environmental rebate into three categories, helping residents buy reusable products, reduce landfill waste, improve recycling, and support more sustainable households through partial purchase rebates.