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Billing errors, privacy breaches and mismanagement by State Revenue Office on new land tax gets criticism from Melina Bath

Labor's land tax rollout falters under Allan government. Nationals' Melina Bath criticises and demands State Revenue Office for explanations on billing Gippsland property owners wrongly, exposing privacy breaches.

By news@gippsland - 2nd April 2024 - Back to News

The roll out of Labor's land tax grab has been bungled by the Allan government. Speaking in state parliament, The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath demanded the Treasurer explain why the State Revenue Office (SRO) is billing Gippsland property owners for properties they do not own.

Melina Bath demands explanations from State Revenue Office, highlighting government mismanagement and extra financial burden on Victorians

Government land tax errors

Ms Bath said the Allan Labor government has clearly botched the administration of its unfair land tax citing examples of errors in the invoicing system. "In addition to being billed for properties they simply don't own, Victorians have also been sent the personal details of other homeowners' assets in a shocking breach of privacy."

"Rather than triggering an internal investigation when the billing errors were identified, the SRO demanded my constituents complete a legally binding verbal declaration to be factual. These householders were informed that they would be subject to fines from the state government agency if they provided false information - how can this be acceptable?," Ms Bath said.

Land tax criticism

The legislation passed state parliament last year facilitated by a Labor, Greens, and Animal Justice Party alliance, land tax payments are due at the end of June, 2024. Ms Bath said the new tax was the brainchild of a government that cannot manage money.

"The Nationals opposed Labor's land tax and committed to a wholesale review of Victoria's taxation system. During a cost of living crisis, Labor's tax is costing Victorian landowners an estimated $1300 a year extra, while struggling renters will have the charge passed on or their property sold," she said.

Highlighting the distress caused to her constituents, Ms Bath called on the Allan Labor government to fix its failures to ensure further errors would not cause additional distress. "This appalling mismanagement of the land tax is clear proof Labor can't manage taxes, it can't manage personal data and Victorian households are paying the price."

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com