A Queensland Government report released today has called on the Palaszczuk Government to consider additional levies or taxes as part of a new climate change adaption plan for the state.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington called on Annastacia Palaszczuk to immediately rule out any new taxes.
“Labor’s only answer to every issue is another new tax,” Ms Frecklington said.
“We’ve already seen five new taxes worth over $2.2 billion and it sounds like Annastacia Palaszczuk has plans for more.
“We also now know why the Premier wouldn’t rule out further new taxes when previously asked in the very first question of this new Parliament.**
“There has been zero public consultation on Labor’s sixth new tax for Queensland.
“The effects of climate change are real but there are many other ways to reduce pollution and lower carbon emissions.”
LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said that Labor should have come clean with Queenslanders about this new tax before the last state election, given that today’s report started just weeks after the November 2017 poll.
“Labor’s only economic plan for Queensland is increased taxes,” Mr Mander said.
“We have the second highest unemployment rate in the nation and rock bottom business confidence.
“The LNP believes you can’t tax your way to growth.
“Queensland had the lowest economic growth of any state over the last quarter.”
Background
Page 29 of the report –
Greater awareness of the financial and legal drivers should assist decisions regarding the allocation of funds to address adaptation and climate risk management at whole-of-government and Department of Treasury levels, and within the sector. Consideration should be given to public–private partnerships, redirection of subsidies that support activities harmful to health and climate stability, and application of levies or taxes on external drivers (e.g. ‘the polluter pays’ principle for the health and environmental costs of activities which traditionally have not been accounted for).
