February 23, 2010
Five of Queensland’s most respected industry bodies have joined forces in response to what the Property Council of Australia (PCA) has dubbed the State Government’s ‘outrageous land tax grab'.
Last week the PCA and Shopping Centre Council led the charge in alerting business to the ‘outrageous changes’ proposed in the Valuation of Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010.
Now Agforce, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) and the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) have joined the fight against this Bill in recognition of the “disastrous impacts it will have on their members”.
These industry bodies collectively represent a large proportion of the businesses which will be directly impacted should this Bill pass.
In a statement issued last night, the PCA says these industry bodies recognise this is not just a big business issue; if this legislation is passed as is, Queensland’s SMEs will endure increased costs through higher land tax and council rates with next to no rights to appeal.
“Homeowners, mum and dad investors and superannuation holders will also be slugged should this Bill pass with increases in land tax and council rates eating into their savings,” it says.
“Therefore this legislation impacts directly on every Queenslander - with investment and jobs the major casualties.”
Just last week the PCA lodged documents with the legislative review committee in a bid to delay debate on the legislation.
See related QBR story:
Land tax overhaul a ‘disaster’ for industry: Property Council
