Thursday, 20 March 2025

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Taxation

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:00): (861) My question is to the Treasurer. The government has already introduced more than 55 new and increased taxes since 2014. Is it the government’s policy with regard to new taxes and imposts that hardworking taxpayers can afford to pay more?

The PRESIDENT: Maybe, Mr Davis, you can repeat it and do it in another form. I am a bit concerned it is asking for an opinion.

David DAVIS: No, it is not. The government has already introduced more than 55 new and increased taxes since 2014. Is it the government’s policy with regard to new taxes and imposts that hardworking taxpayers can afford to pay more, as the Treasurer said?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:01): Mr Davis, thank you for your question. There have been a number of tax changes since we came to government, including reduced taxes on many Victorians, particularly businesses et cetera. I take your point that no-one particularly likes paying tax. I do not think anybody says, ‘Yes, I want to pay my tax bill.’ But what people do accept is the need to invest in infrastructure that Victorians rely on: schools, roads, health – there are so many things that this government is all about getting right behind. I will always continue to balance the settings in relation to who can afford to pay tax, who benefits from tax cuts and who benefits from cost-of-living support. This is what a responsible government will do.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:02): Well, it is the Treasurer’s statement that I think many are worried about – that they can afford to pay more. Treasurer, in 2013–14 the state tax take was $16.9 billion, or $2867 per Victorian.

Members interjecting.

David DAVIS: President, can I just pause and start again? Over there.

The PRESIDENT: How about: over there, can Mr Davis be heard in silence, and over there, can Mr Davis be heard in silence?

David DAVIS: Treasurer, in 2013–14 the state tax take was $16.9 billion, or $2867 per Victorian. In the 2024–25 budget update the state tax had ballooned to $38.9 billion, $5504 per Victorian. If that was not bad enough, the tax take is estimated to increase to a staggering $45.8 billion over the forward estimates, $6160 per Victorian. Treasurer, Victorian households are being crushed by surging taxes. This time you have hit rental providers with double taxation through the emergency management tax. How much more can they bear?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:04): Mr Davis, the government will always endeavour to strike the right balance between providing services and infrastructure that Victorians rely on, and that is often something that is talked about in the case. You have got to balance that with the need to raise the revenue that is necessary to provide it. As I said before, we have cut or abolished taxes and fees 65 times since coming to government. It is not something that you like to counter with your rhetoric, but that is true.

It includes lifting the payroll tax free threshold five times since coming to government, with a legislated commitment to lift it again from July. The changes to the threshold mean –

David Davis: $45.8 billion.

Jaclyn SYMES: I went through the economic conditions of the state yesterday. We are investing in the priorities of Victorians. We are supporting business. You are seeing that in more and more business investment, more and more housing investment and more and more housing approvals in this state than in any other state. I am very comfortable with the feedback that you want to provide, but perhaps maybe ask a question that I can answer next time.