Treasurer Chris Steel failed to confirm yesterday if he will follow through with a full removal of Labor's unfair health levy on every ratepayer in Canberra.
"Labor's health levy was a dud from the start. The Greens refused to support it, saving every Canberra ratepayer $150 off their bill, and now we're determined to get rid of it completely," said Jo Clay MLA, Greens spokesperson on Finance.
"The payroll tax change the Greens got Labor to adopt last year will raise more money over the long term, in an ongoing way, than the health levy does.
"If Federal Labor's health funding deal is good enough for Canberra, ACT Labor needs to confirm they will get rid of their health levy once and for all.
"Labor needs to properly invest in preventative healthcare - which involves everything from access to GPs, to healthy homes and action to prevent worse climate change - to ease pressure on both the hospital system and the health budget.
"The health levy is a band-aid that has got to be ripped off. Flat fees on Canberrans - ignoring their income or capacity to pay - hurts our community.
"The cost of living crisis is a crisis of inequality, so it's critical we raise money from those who can most afford to pay, and support people to stay healthy and well."
