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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Rate rises: Coe says Barr hasn’t counted the human cost

ACT Opposition Leader Alistair Coe says he fears the government hasn’t  counted the human cost of its rates reform package.

Opposition Leader Alistair Coe… “Young people, families and the elderly are struggling to make ends meet.”

He has called on the Labor government to table in the Assembly the Treasury analysis of the financial and social impacts of its rates reform package.

“Hundreds of Canberra residents have contacted the opposition expressing concern over the ACT government’s drastic and continuing rates increases,” Coe said.

“The sentiment is shared and the message is clear: young people, families and the elderly are suffering and are struggling to make ends meet because of the Barr government’s insatiable appetite to increase rates.

“The Labor-Greens government residential general rates increase of 12 per cent imposes serious financial pressure on home owners.

“This comes on top of an 18 per cent increase in land tax revenue, placing a further burden on owners and tenants.

“Meanwhile, the government has compounded the problem by reducing rates, energy and water concessions from those who need it most.

“Despite the negative impact, the government has budgeted further increases. Residential general rates will increase by 11 per cent in 2018-19, nine per cent in 2019-20, and a further nine per cent in 2020-21.

“It is imperative that the government halt its rates reform and present to the Assembly an analysis on its financial and social impacts no later than September 21.”

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