Minister for Local Government Nic Street has stated this morning on ABC Radio that he will not take action to reduce rates for Tasmanians during a cost of living crisis.
Nic Street stated to Leon Compton, “The one thing you will not hear me promise… is that amalgamations will reduce rates for ratepayers because that simply is not the case. And it’s not been the experience anywhere. We’re not talking about reducing rates… for me this has never been about cost cutting for ratepayers.”
Cost of living is the number one issue for Tasmanians.
The Liberal Government’s Bin Tax has already raised rates across Tasmania, and with Minister Street’s comments this morning rates are likely to rise again.
This highlights just how utterly tone deaf this Minister and the Liberal Government is to the concerns of Tasmanians.
Labor understands there are issues with Local Government, such as service delivery and workforce retention. But the Liberals’ plans do not show how they’ll fix these issues, and in fact suggest they will add to skyrocketing rates.
Labor is focused on cost of living and with Minister Street’s comments this morning there is mounting evidence that forced mergers will increase rates on families, while also putting local jobs and services at risk.
Luke Edmunds MLC
Shadow Minister for Local Government & Planning