The Premier and Treasurer Peter Gutwein has demonstrated how out of touch he is with Tasmanians today by claiming massive increases in land tax on shack owners and mum and dad investors are a "good thing".
Shadow Treasurer David O'Byrne said the Premier's false sympathy for people who have been slugged a massive tax hike is cold comfort.
"Labor has been inundated with people who have received their latest bills and are horrified by these obscene increases. It's not that they're opposed to the principle of paying tax but they are distraught at the size of the increases.
"The Premier's sympathy doesn't pay the bills," Mr O'Byrne said.
"While commercial businesses and property owners have been granted a holiday and can apply for a full waiver due to COVID-19 pressures, the same concession has not been afforded to the humble shack owner or mum and dad investors.
"At a time when other states are either freezing or reducing land tax, this Government is embarking on a massive tax grab.
"We have heard from people who will be forced to sell their shacks because of these tax hikes.
"For some who've had the humble shack in their family for generations this will be a massive blow and will undermine a unique part of the Tasmanian way of life.
"The massive increases are turning assets into liabilities.
"For too many Tasmanians these rises are not manageable and will mean the lifelong joy of holidaying at the family shack could become a thing of the past."
David O'Byrne MP
Shadow Treasurer
