NEWMAN’S FIRE LEVY HIKES AND REDUCED SPENDING ON FIRE PROTECTION

Media Release

Queenslanders are being slugged with new taxes to fund the state’s hard-working fire and rescue services in 2014, but if taxpayers think their extra contribution will improve that service they are mistaken says Shadow Emergency Services Minister Bill Byrne.

“In regional Queensland some households face a new levy of $90 a year this year. The levy will appear on the first rates bills of 2014,” he said.

“In urban areas the average household will be hit with an increase of $10.80 to the existing urban fire levy.

“Together these new taxes are expected to raise a little over $24 million, just shy of the amount the Newman Government has ripped out of the Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue Budget.

“In other words, people will be paying much more but in real terms less will be spent on fire and rescue despite the hikes. Money raised from the levies won’t be paying for more firefighters or better equipment, it will just be making up the shortfall from the cuts.

“The levies are a revenue grab from a grubby Newman Government which promised cost of living reductions before the election but which has now increased taxes on the average family of four by more than $1000 a year,” said Mr Byrne.

“It is a disgrace at a time when senior fire service officers and local politicians are expressing concerns about preparations for the fire season and when searing temperatures have resulted in a series of damaging bush fires throughout the state.”

Mr Byrne said while the $90 levy for households in regional Queensland was bad enough, the tax grab on businesses was worse and could hit companies hard enough to place jobs at risk.

“For a small shopping centre the increase is up to $445 a year while for a hotel or motel the rise is up to $3,290.

“Further up the scale a large tourism resort will have to pay up to $64,542 more this year while the increase for a large casino with accommodation and restaurant facilities is up to $179,294.

“The increases are big enough to raise the possibility of job cuts to pay for them, particularly in the tourism industry.

“The Newman Government has left it to local councils to implement the levy increases but Queenslanders should be in no doubt who to blame.

“Since it was elected the Newman Government’s record on emergency services and fire and rescue has been shambolic.

“This is an administration which decided to save money by sacking rural brigade staff, announced the Malone Review to cover its mistakes and then lowered the targets recommended by the Bushfire Royal Commission.

“LNP Ministers have a duty to be honest with Queenslanders and tell us which parts of the state are under-prepared for the fire threat this summer so that property owners can take the precautions necessary to protect families and businesses,” said Mr Byrne.