Relieve land tax slug, says MP

AN OPPOSITION MP has called on the State Government to review its land taxes following the announcement of the release of extra land for housing in the City of Casey.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich said the government had become too reliant on stamp duty and land tax.
Ms Peulich’s remarks follow the State Government’s announcement of a new Urban Growth Zone policy.
The plan means large areas of farmland will be rezoned for residential development to ease the demand on housing as a result of rapid population growth.
“The City of Casey is one of Victoria’s fastest growing areas, with more than 50 families a week moving into the area and the State Government is already receiving around $600,000 each week,” she said.
Cranbourne, Berwick and Narre Warren were recently identified as being in the top ten suburbs for people to purchase their first home.
Ms Peulich said the availability of 20,000 new house blocks in Casey would not benefit new homebuyers greatly as the Brumby Government would be the big financial winner.
“The State Labor Government should review the unfair stamp duty, development levy and land taxes that force home buyers to borrow tens of thousands of extra dollars,” she said.
“Compared with other states, it shows that Casey and Victoria are not the best places to raise a family as the Brumby Government claims.”
A State Government spokesman said there were various discounts available for homeowners.
“Victoria has the most affordable housing on the eastern seaboard,” he said.
“We are the only state in Australia that offers a first home owners bonus of up to $5000. We are also the only state in Australia that offers discounts to pensioners and other concession card holders.”
The spokesperson said the government also offered a stamp duty discount for off-the-plan purchases.