The Nationals have made a commitment to axe Labor’s latest Holiday and Tourism Tax, when in government.
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath said cutting Labor’s unfair tax means Victorians will enjoy more affordable holidays, and regional businesses will flourish.
“Tourism is particularly important in eastern Victoria, a region home to some of Victoria’s most popular tourism drawcards.
“Short stay rentals enable families to stay in regional areas which do not have commercial visitor infrastructure.”
The Nationals’ announcement comes after the Allan Labor Government, with the help of Independent and Greens MPs passed a 7.5 per cent tax on short-stay accommodation providers – its 55th new or increased tax in the past 10 years.
The tax is in addition to the GST already payable on short-term accommodation bookings and local government charges.
Ms Bath said Labor’s short stay tax was a blatant attack on small business operators who play a vital to our regional economies.
“Sixty five per cent of short stay accommodation hosts are women, a demographic Labor falsely proports to support.
“Appallingly Labor refused to accept our Liberal and Nationals’ amendments to exempt providers offering disability accommodation, and those who use short stay after fleeing domestic violence or for medical reasons.
“Labor is asserting the tax is all about increasing long term housing, but studies prove otherwise.”
The Urbis Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) and Housing report found in Victoria that ‘STRA has no consistent impact on housing affordability’.
Ms Bath said research shows that short stay accommodation guests spend almost 50 percent of their budget during their stay in the local area.
“More visitors in our regional towns equates to more support for our local hospitality businesses and our struggling retail sector.
“Labor cannot manage money, and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
